Anthony McCartney (AP) Court tweets

by **Admin** Mon Apr 29, 2013 5:22 pm

First topic message reminder :

~ Update by MJ Mod 7/2/2013 ~

Due to the enormous amount of time that is spent by both Admin and myself working on the court transcripts, WeAreTheWorld. will now be taking over both the ABC tweets and the Anthony McCartney tweets.

This is for Anthony McCartney from the AP tweets only.

[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

OPENING STATEMENTS DAY TWEETS

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 1h Thank you! If you're interested in the latest Michael Jackson trial, follow @mccartneyAP, a very smart and cool gentleman.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 1h Katherine Jackson's attorney talked for about an hour and 15 minutes, which is half his allotted time.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 1h That takes us to the lunch break. Court will resume at 1:30 p.m. Pacific Time. (I'll post an updated story link shortly.)

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 1h Panish showed slide showing that Conrad Murray owed back child support, facing foreclosure, while caring for MJ.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 1h Before lunch break, Panish discussed AEG not performing background check on Conrad Murray.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 1h Panish used videotaped deposition one of AEG’s experts, Marty Hom, to make point about $5 million being red flag.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 1h He told jurors that AEG ignored red flags, including that Conrad Murray initially asked for $5 million to serve as MJ’s tour doc.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 1h Panish showed a number of emails between AEG execs Paul Gongaware and Randy Phillips about MJ’s condition.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 1h Panish walked jurors briefly through Jackson’s contract with AEG. Lots of slides, and jury seem to be looking at them, some taking notes.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 1h “They didn’t care who got lost in the wash.” _ Brian Panish on AEG’s involvement in Jackson comeback concerts.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 1h Jackson’s London shows were a solution to AEG's problem, and it was basically win-at-all-costs, Panish said.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 1h AEG had problems too, Panish said during openings, arguing they were feeling pressure from concert promoter Live Nation.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 1h Panish detailed Murray’s money problems. He also used a slide drawing a line directly from AEG logo to picture of Murray.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 1h Panish said MJ family, friends, knew about Jackson’s addiction problems. He says only one who claims it didn’t know is AEG.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 1h He tells jury that MJ’s addiction worse when he was under intense schedule, lots of pressure.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 1h Panish’s openings focused heavily on Jackson’s addiction to prescription medication. Cited Jackson’s Demerol treatments.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 1h He told jury that they were there to assess the loss of Jackson to his mother and children. No dollar figure given.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 1h Panish’s opening statements began with a clip of Jackson rehearsing for “This Is It” tour.” He briefly detailed singer’s life.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 1h Jacksons (Katherine, Randy & Rebbie) all stood when jurors entered. Probably first people many saw when entering courtroom.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 1h Judge said before bringing in jury that two have sent notes to court. She said they can be addressed later. (No word on note's contents.)

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 1h $40b Statement not filed in court, Boyle argued. Judge is going to allow AEG to show damages slide to jury.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 1h Plaintiff’s attorney Kevin Boyle argued that the figure was thrown out there to preserve Jackson family’s rights.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 1h Plaintiff’s side also objected to several AEG slides, including one that apparently listed the $40 billion damages estimate.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 1h Panish accused Wass of sitting near AEG attorneys. She was in a back row with reporters and a deputy. AEG folks are in front rows.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 1h Conrad Murray’s appellate attorney Valerie Wass is also in the coutroom. Panish (KJ attorney) gave her a shout-out this morning.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 1h There were roughly 25 minutes of objections to the proposed opening presentation by plaintiff’s attorney Brian Panish.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 1h “Clearly Mr. Jackson died.” _ AEG attorney Marvin Putnam. Last week, plaintiffs tried to make point AEG wasn’t conceding Jackson was dead.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 1h For those interested, AEG attorney Marvin Putnam said this morning that they’re not contesting Jackson’s death.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 1h On strip clubs reference, the judge made plaintiffs slightly alter the slide.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 1h AEG preferred explicit mention of clubs to redaction. #JacksonTrial

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 1h AEG also didn’t want a heavily redacted email shown to jury about Conrad Murray’s strip club visits.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 1h Judge forced plaintiffs to remove slide referencing Amy Winehouse from opening statement presentation. #Jacksontrial

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 1h Court day started out with AEG objecting to use of several slides in Jacksons’ opening statements. Judge overruled many of them.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 1h Courtroom is packed, every seat filled with attorneys, media, Jackson family.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2h Katherine Jackson sat in front row, with Randy on her left and Rebbie on her right-hand side. #jacksontrial

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2h Going to start tweeting some details from Jackson opening statements. Our story with some details here: [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 4h Katherine, Randy & Rebbie Jackson just walked into the courtroom. "We love you too," Mrs. Jackson said to a fan on way in.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 4h Thanks to @KPCC and @taketwo for having me on this morning to discuss the upcoming Jackson vs AEG trial.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 4h Lined up waiting to go into the courtroom for Jackson case. Looks like abt 12 news outlets, including @AP, getting into courtroom.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 4h Waiting to get called in for Jackson trial. This link to our story will be updated after openings begin: [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 5h @cocizeqiri Hi - check in with @AP_CorpComm - they're handling requests for interviews. Thx!

by WeAreTheWorld. Wed Jul 03, 2013 4:38 pm

Here are the rest of the tweets from 7/2/2013

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 20h Not long after that, we broke for the day. I'l be back in court tomorrow in Jackson vs. AEG Live.
Reminder: no court on Thursday or Friday.

Anthony McCartneyAnthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 20h “Her solution to her headaches was to eat 3 meals a day,” Schnoll said. “She needed no more narcotics after that.” (6 of 6)

Anthony McCartneyAnthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 20h She didn’t believe him at first when he said she needed to eat lunch. He gave her some glucose tests, which bore out his theory. (5 of 6)

Anthony McCartneyAnthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 20h The woman “always had her headaches at about 4 o’clock every day, except weekends,” Schnoll said. She wasn’t eating lunch at work. (4 of 6)

Anthony McCartneyAnthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 20h The problem became apparent, Schnoll said, when he reviewed the woman’s pain diary. (3 of 6)

Anthony McCartneyAnthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 20h He told the woman to keep a pain diary of her daily routines, when she got headaches and what she was doing. (2 of 6)

Anthony McCartneyAnthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 20h Schnoll said he treated a woman who had severe headaches and kept asking her doctors for more and more pain medications. (1 of 6)

Anthony McCartneyAnthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 20h Schnoll then related the need to evaluate a person's drug use to determine appropriate treatment.
He offered an anecdote of a patient.

Anthony McCartneyAnthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 20h He said the primary factor in whether someone becomes a drug addict is usually genetics.

Anthony McCartneyAnthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 20h Schnoll: "Addiction is a chronic disease that’s characterized by craving, compulsive use of a drug, continued use despite evidence of harm."

Anthony McCartneyAnthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 20h (cont) ... withdrawal if they stopped taking it.
He said dependence is common and can happen under the care of a physician.

Anthony McCartneyAnthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 20h The doctor explained the difference between addiction and dependence.
Being dependent on a drug meant someone would experience ... (cont)

Anthony McCartneyAnthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 20h Schnoll said the Cubs' drug monitoring program he developed became a model of Major League Baseball at the time.

Anthony McCartneyAnthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 20h He said he told the Cubs both items were inappropriate, and they agreed. He instituted a drug monitoring and testing program.

Anthony McCartneyAnthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 20h The amphetamine pills were green, hence the players' nickname, Scholl said.
He also noted there was a beer tap in the clubhouse.

Anthony McCartneyAnthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 20h Schnoll said on one of the counters in the Cubs' locker room was a bottle of amphetamines "which the players called greenies."

Anthony McCartneyAnthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 20h Schnoll consulted for the Chicago Cubs starting in 1982. He recounted the first time he walked into the training room as immediately worried

Anthony McCartneyAnthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 20h He's also provided medical care at concerts for acts such as the Rolling Stones and Fleetwood Mac. Apparently for concertgoers, not talent.

Anthony McCartneyAnthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 20h Schnoll has consulted for the NFL Players Association, the Chicago Cubs and Bulls and written roughly 40 textbook chapters over his career.

Anthony McCartneyAnthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 20h Schnoll doesn't do trial consulting. He said this is the first case in about 15 years that he's testified in.

Anthony McCartneyAnthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 20h Schnoll has helped develop risk management programs for pharmaceutical companies. It's a way to understand problems of abuse of a drug.

Anthony McCartneyAnthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 20h He's an addiction medicine and pain management specialist. Been practicing since the early 1970s, but has been consulting since 2001 or so.

Anthony McCartneyAnthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 20h After Seawright finished testifying, Dr. Sidney Schnoll took the stand.
He testified about his experience, background today.

Anthony McCartneyAnthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 20h AEG Live attorney Jessica Stebbins Bina then took over, and made the point that Seawright hadn't done any research into med, concert fields

Anthony McCartneyAnthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 20h If they insisted, Seawright said she would have recommended a "comprehensive vetting process"

Anthony McCartneyAnthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 20h Seawright responded that she absolutely wouldn't have recommended that AEG hire Murray because of "risks associated with the position."

Anthony McCartneyAnthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 20h Panish asked whether if AEG Live was Seawright's client, would she have recommended hiring Conrad Murray.

Anthony McCartneyAnthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 20h After the afternoon break, plaintiff's attorney Brian Panish asked HR expert Jean Seawright a few last questions.

Anthony McCartneyAnthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 20h We're done for the day in Jackson vs AEG Live -- Dr. Schnoll returns to the stand tomorrow at 10 a.m. PDT.

by WeAreTheWorld. Wed Jul 03, 2013 4:42 pm

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 40m Schnoll spent about another hour on the witness stand, reiterating his point that there was no sign in records that Jackson was an addict.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 46m The judge said the jury should disregard her testimony about whether AEG Live hired Conrad Murray.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 46m The jury was brought in, and Palazuelos read an instruction stating that Seawright violated a court order.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 46m Palazuelos: “I don’t know why you’re pointing the finger that way.” She told Panish to make sure he warns his experts from now on.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 47m Panish also said that he was trying to counter questions from AEG’s attorneys that suggested Seawright didn’t have an opinion.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 47m Palazuelos: “This is my concern. Nine weeks into this trial and this is getting in a mistrial situation.” (We’re in 10th wk of testimony.)

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 47m Panish protested, saying “All I was trying to show was that she was trying to show was that she has an opinion.”

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 48m The judge said the answer veered into mistrial territory, and that Panish should have warned Seawright to not state her opinion.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 48m Panish had asked whether Seawright she had an opinion on whether AEG Live hired Murray. He said today he thought it was a yes-no question.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 48m Seawright told the jury she thought AEG did hire Murray, based on a question from plaintiff’s attorney Brian Panish.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 48m The judge noted that expert witnesses had been instructed not to state opinions on whether AEG Live hired Conrad Murray.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 49m After the afternoon break, Judge Yvette Palazuelos returned to the testimony of HR expert Jean Seawright. She was upset about yesterday.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 49m The doctor said he probably hadn’t prescribed Demerol since the 1970s. (He hasn’t been practicing with patients for several years.)

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 49m AEG defense attorney Kathryn Cahan also asked Schnoll about Demerol. He called it a “dirty opioid.”

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 50m On cross-examination, she tried to make the point that it’s hard for a lay person to tell difference between addiction and dependency.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 50m Schnoll said even if Jackson were addicted to medications, with proper treatment he could have lived a long, healthy life.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 50m The doctor also addressed Demerol use, saying there was no sign Jackson received the drug between 2003 and 2008.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 50m Schnoll’s point about the documented use of propofol by Jackson was that it was in medical settings with proper supervision. Until C. Murray

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 53m He said Rowe used two different names for medications she saw Jackson receive in 1993, so it wasn’t clear if propofol was used.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 54m Schnoll said it wasn’t clear if Jackson received propofol during the 1993 “Dangerous” tour because Debbie Rowe wasn’t clear.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 54m The records showed that Jackson received propofol for dental procedures dating back to 1997, Schnoll said

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 54m Schnoll reviewed medical records dating back until at least 1997. They included dental records, and files of Arnold Klein.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 54m Schnoll said based on his review of medical records, he saw no evidence that Jackson was addicted to prescription meds.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 55m I’ve been dealing with some tech issues and a time crunch today, so will address the main points of Schnoll’s testimony.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 55m As for today's proceedings, testimony of Dr. Sidney Schnoll concluded today.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 56m Finkelstein's deposition will take the morning session. Kenny Ortega is scheduled to be the Monday afternoon witness.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2h He's also started to discuss Michael Jackson's medical history. I may have more updates in a little while. Gotta review some notes.

Anthony McCartneyAnthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2h Schnoll is being questioned by plaintiff’s attorney Michael Koskoff. He started out discussing pain management drugs, addiction solutions.

Anthony McCartneyAnthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2h Dr. Sidney Schnoll, an addiction and pain management expert, remains on the stand.

Anthony McCartneyAnthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2h We’re on a break in Jackson vs AEG Live trial. Katherine and Trent Jackson are here today.

by **Admin** Fri Jul 05, 2013 2:52 pm

Reminder: No court today. Back on Monday.

by **Admin** Mon Jul 08, 2013 2:14 pm

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 49m The video is being finalized right now, so jury should be brought in soon. I’ll have updates later this morning.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 50m Court will begin this morning with plaintiffs playing the deposition video of Dr. Stuart Finkelstein.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 50m We’re back in session in Jackson vs. AEG Live. Katherine, Rebbie and Trent Jackson are all in court this morning.

by WeAreTheWorld. Mon Jul 08, 2013 7:18 pm

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2m
The judge sent the jury home a few minutes early, and AEG said it would review the emails before tomorrow’s proceedings.

Anthony McCartneyAnthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 3m
AEG Live objected to the emails, saying they weren’t on the exhibit list. Jackson attorneys said they were.

Anthony McCartneyAnthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 3m
The men also planned a meeting with Jackson at Sony Studios to show off some new effects, the second email showed.

Anthony McCartneyAnthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 3m
In another email from March 13, 2009, Gongaware told Ortega they stopped selling tickets at 50 shows.

Anthony McCartneyAnthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 3m
Ortega replied: “I’d say we’re off to a good start LOL congrats to all at AEG!”

Anthony McCartneyAnthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 4m
Gongaware email to Ortega: “Blew out 30 shows today on the presale. Hot doesn’t begin to describe it!"

Anthony McCartneyAnthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 4m
Panish then showed a couple new emails between Ortega and Paul Gongaware. They were about the “This Is It” ticket sales.

Anthony McCartneyAnthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 4m
Ortega said if he had known about Phillips’ description of Jackson being despondent, it might have impacted his decision to work on show.

Anthony McCartneyAnthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 4m
Panish asked Ortega whether Randy Phillips told him about Jackson’s behavior before the “This Is It” press conference. Ortega said no.

Anthony McCartneyAnthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 5m
AEG Live reached out to Ortega about working with Jackson on the London shows. A few new emails were displayed before court ended.

Anthony McCartneyAnthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 5m
After recounting his working relationship with Jackson, Panish started asking about preps for “This Is It.”

Anthony McCartneyAnthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 5m
Jackson continued performing, but Ortega said he was taken to the hospital after the show. MJ reported back pain after that.

Anthony McCartneyAnthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 5m
Ortega said it was important to Jackson that he inspire change.
He was then asked about the Munich show, when a bridge fell with MJ on it.

Anthony McCartneyAnthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 6m
When the video ended, a pod rose from the stage and Jackson appeared. He shed his helmet and suit and began dancing.

Anthony McCartneyAnthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 6m
The pod went on a roller coaster track through historical places (the Sphinx, Chrysler Building) and historical events played.

Anthony McCartneyAnthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 6m
Panish then played the opening video from the “HIStory” tour, which uses computer animations to show Jackson in a pod.

Anthony McCartneyAnthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 6m
Ortega said he never had any problems working with Jackson. He said MJ described any differences as “creative jousting.”

Anthony McCartneyAnthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 8m
He said he knows Jackson was taken by ambulance, but didn’t know more details. The pair next worked together on the “HIStory” tour.

Anthony McCartneyAnthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 8m
Panish asked him whether it would be fair to say he collapsed. Ortega replied, “It could have been.”

Anthony McCartneyAnthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 8m
Ortega described the incident this way: “It appeared that he fainted and the show was canceled.”

Anthony McCartneyAnthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 8m
Ortega: “He didn’t want some of his work changed.” He was there when Jackson collapsed on stage.

Anthony McCartneyAnthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 9m
The choreographer responded that he knew Jackson was unhappy. He said MJ told him he was displeased because of changes to his dance moves.

Anthony McCartneyAnthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 9m
Ortega was also asked about preparing Jackson for shows at NY’s Beacon Theatre. He was asked whether he grew concerned about MJ’s condition.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 3m
Ortega was asked at one point whether he eve saw Jackson act different after doctor visits. He said yes.
He described MJ as "off."

Anthony McCartneyAnthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 4m
The choreographer said he had no role in ending “Dangerous” tour.
Ortega said he knew Jackson suffered pain, but never saw him take meds.

Anthony McCartneyAnthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 5m
Ortega said he didn’t know, even up until today, that Jackson had problems with painkillers during “Dangerous” shows.

Anthony McCartneyAnthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 6m
Ortega was asked whether he knew if Jackson was addicted to painkillers on the “Dangerous” tour. He said he didn’t know.

Anthony McCartneyAnthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 6m
The lawyer also wanted Ortega to describe one of Jackson’s trips to an orphanage in Romania. Ortega said he didn’t recall the visit.

Anthony McCartneyAnthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 6m
Panish asked Ortega whether he knew that Jackson donated “Dangerous” profits to charity. Ortega said he didn’t know that.

Anthony McCartneyAnthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 6m
He said Jackson differed from some other performers. He wanted his concert openings to be huge.

Anthony McCartneyAnthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 6m
Jackson’s long pause on stage _ to an endless cheer _ was what the singer would call “milking the crowd,” Ortega recalled.

Anthony McCartneyAnthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 7m
Ortega explained the effects. Jackson emerged from a “toaster” _ a device that “popped you up like a piece of toast.”

Anthony McCartneyAnthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 7m
Panish then showed Ortega the opening of the “Dangerous” tour. Jackson popped up on stage, stood there for several moments.

Anthony McCartneyAnthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 7m
He said Jackson said “This Is It” was primarily Jackson’s vision. “He wanted to rock the world, he wanted them to know he was back.”

Anthony McCartneyAnthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 7m
Panish then played the opening of the “This is It” concert film. It’s the part featuring the backup dancers talking about MJ’s influence.

Anthony McCartneyAnthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 7m
Ortega was very complementary of Jackson. “I think he was the most influential dancer for generations of kids,” he said at one point.

Anthony McCartneyAnthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 8m
Ortega said he was excited to work with Jackson. “He was the greatest performer on the planet as far as I was concerned.”

Anthony McCartneyAnthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 8m
This was years after Jackson and Ortega first met. The choreographer recalled MJ calling him in 1990 to work the “Dangerous” tour.

Anthony McCartneyAnthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 8m
Ortega recounted the cast’s reaction to meeting Jackson. “They were just crying, screaming and speechless,” Ortega recalled.

Anthony McCartneyAnthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 8m
Prince, Paris and Blanket stood throughout the show, clapping and singing along to some of the songs, Ortega said.

Anthony McCartneyAnthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 8m
Ortega recounted when the “High School Musical” live tour played in Las Vegas, Michael Jackson brought his children to the show.

Anthony McCartneyAnthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 9m
Panish played clips from all of the movies and Madonna video mentioned above to show off Ortega’s credentials.

Anthony McCartneyAnthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 9m
He also did the choreography for “Dirty Dancing,” the Chicago parade scenes in “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” and Madonna’s “Material Girl” vid.

Anthony McCartneyAnthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 9m
Panish then asked Ortega about his credits. He’s directed films in the “High School Musical” franchise, “Newsies.”

Anthony McCartneyAnthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 9m
“It was such a momentous moment for me, it was like being touched by a star,” Ortega said of seeing Michael Jackson.

Anthony McCartneyAnthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 9m
Ortega: “Michael was walking through the backstage and he made eye contact with me. ... I was in just in such awe of him and the brothers.”

Anthony McCartneyAnthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 9m
He talked about seeing the Jackson 5 in local theater when he was growing up. He saw Michael Jackson after the show.

Anthony McCartneyAnthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 9m
Panish then asked Ortega about his biography. He was born in Redwood City, Calif. and grew up in San Mateo County.

Anthony McCartneyAnthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 10m
Some updates coming on Ortega's testimony. It was pretty heavy on biography. Just started getting questions about '09 before testimony ended

Anthony McCartneyAnthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 13m
We're done for the day in Jackson vs. AEG Live. Kenny Ortega will resume testifying tomorrow at 1:30 p.m. PDT.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 57m
Afternoon break is over, so I've got to head back into the courtroom. Updates will be coming later today.

Anthony McCartneyAnthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 57m
The director said he believed he was dismissed because he wasn’t an employee of AEG Live.

Anthony McCartneyAnthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 57m
Panish mentioned that Ortega was originally a named defendant in the suit. He asked if Ortega knew why he was dismissed. He said yes.

Anthony McCartneyAnthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 57m
Panish asked Ortega whether he was friends with Michael Jackson.
The choreographer said yes.

Anthony McCartneyAnthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 58m
Ortega said he saw Randy Phillips at the Stones’ show as well, but they didn’t speak. Ortega said he's friends with Gongaware, Phillips.

Anthony McCartneyAnthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 58m
Ortega said he saw the Stones’ show when it was in LA. He saw and talked to Paul Gongaware at the show.

Anthony McCartneyAnthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 58m
Panish asked whether Ortega has worked with AEG Live since “This is It.” He has, he worked on Rolling Stones’ recent tour.

Anthony McCartneyAnthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 59m
Ortega added that he reported on financial and scheduling issues to AEG Live. He says he kept them updated on the “creative growth.”

Anthony McCartneyAnthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 59m
Panish asked Ortega about “This Is It” and his role on the shows. The choreographer said he was Michael Jackson’s creative partner.

Anthony McCartneyAnthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 59m
Ortega: “I actually have hearing loss, so it’s not your fault.” Panish started speaking up, but proceedings became less tense.

Anthony McCartneyAnthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 59m
Ortega was having trouble hearing Panish and at one point asked him to speak up. Ortega had trouble with a couple questions.

Anthony McCartneyAnthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 59m
Panish and Ortega then went over how the choreographer’s contract for the “This Is It” came about.

Anthony McCartneyAnthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 59m
Panish then told Ortega, “They’ll be objecting, so try not to let that distract you.”

Anthony McCartneyAnthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 1h
Putnam also objected a couple times to Panish’s questions, saying they were leading. Judge overruled objections.

Anthony McCartneyAnthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 1h
Panish mentioned that Faye’s deposition was seven days, which drew an objection from Putnam. The lawyers sniped over how many days it lasted

Anthony McCartneyAnthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 1h
(cont) ... and his Conrad Murray criminal trial testimony.
He said he didn't review his preliminary hearing testimony.

Anthony McCartneyAnthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 1h
Panish asked what Ortega reviewed to prepare for his testimony. Ortega said he reviewed his own emails, Karen Faye’s deposition testimony...

Anthony McCartneyAnthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 1h
Once Ortega took the stand, the first 8 minutes of his testimony were pretty tense.
Lots of repeating of questions, a few objections.

Anthony McCartneyAnthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 1h
Panish wanted the adverse witness designation because he claimed Ortega was an “agent” of AEG Live. The company objected to that label.

Anthony McCartneyAnthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 1h
The judge agreed the Ortega shouldn’t be deemed an adverse witness to start, but said she would revisit it depending on Ortega’s answers.

Anthony McCartneyAnthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 1h
Plaintiff’s attorney Brian Panish wanted him designated as an adverse witness, but AEG Live’s side said that was improper.

Anthony McCartneyAnthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 1h
Being classified an adverse witness doens't mean Ortega would be deemed hostile, just changes the way questions can be asked.

Anthony McCartneyAnthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 1h
Before Kenny Ortega started testifying, judge heard arguments on whether he should be designated an “adverse” witness.

Anthony McCartneyAnthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 1h
We're on the afternoon break in Jackson vs AEG Live trial. Some updates on Kenny Ortega's testimony coming.
He hasn't addressed '09 events.

Anthony McCartneyAnthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2h
About to head back into court for the start of Kenny Ortega testimony in Jackson vs. AEG Live case.

Anthony McCartneyAnthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 5h
The video is being finalized right now, so jury should be brought in soon. I’ll have updates later this morning.

Anthony McCartneyAnthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 5h
Court will begin this morning with plaintiffs playing the deposition video of Dr. Stuart Finkelstein.

by WeAreTheWorld. Tue Jul 09, 2013 6:54 pm

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2h
We're done for the day in Jackson vs AEG Live. Kenny Ortega resumes testifying tomorrow at 9:45 am PDT.

Anthony McCartneyAnthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2h
A lot of Ortega's testimony today seemed to have been covered during the Murray crim case, but we're getting closer to events of June 19 '09

Anthony McCartneyAnthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2h
I've got a couple meetings in the next few hours, so won't get updates out for a good while. May jump on later tonight.

Anthony McCartneyAnthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2h
Tomorrow's testimony from Ortega should get into more detail about Jackson's health in the days before he died and AEG exec's involvement.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 33m
Panish asked if Ortega wouldn’t have worked on the shows knowing the problems because he cared about MJ. Ortega said yes.

Anthony McCartneyAnthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 33m
Ortega said yesterday he wasn’t told about problems preceding the conference. He said it would have impacted decision to work on “TII.”

Anthony McCartneyAnthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 33m
Panish asked Ortega about the Randy Phillips emails about the “This Is It” press conference.

Anthony McCartneyAnthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 34m
The director-choreographer said he hadn’t consulted with his attorney since yesterday about trial testimony.

Anthony McCartneyAnthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 34m
Ortega was then asked who was paying his lawyer’s fees. Ortega said AEG Live was paying for his lawyer, but he picked the attorney.

Anthony McCartneyAnthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 34m
Panish began testimony by asking Ortega if he was familiar with his “This Is It” contract. Ortega said he’d need to see it to talk about it.

Anthony McCartneyAnthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 34m
Plaintiff's attorney Brian Panish is continuing his questioning of Kenny Ortega.

Anthony McCartneyAnthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 36m
We're on the afternoon break in Jackson vs AEG Live. Will only have a few updates this break.

Anthony McCartneyAnthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2h
Kenny Ortega will be back on the stand.
Yesterday, plaintiff's attorney Brian Panish was just starting to get into 2009 events.

Anthony McCartneyAnthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2h
We're about to go back in session for the day in Jackson vs AEG Live. Katherine Jackson went into the courtroom a bit ago.

by WeAreTheWorld. Wed Jul 10, 2013 5:17 pm

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 39m
I'm headed back into the courtroom, will have updates later today.

Anthony McCartneyAnthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 39m
"I think it would have severely injured the possibility of the show going on," Kenny Ortega said.
Shortly after this, court broke for lunch.

Anthony McCartneyAnthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 40m
Ortega said he was willing to walk away from the show at this point, leaving it without a director.

Anthony McCartneyAnthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 40m
The director said he called Murray repeatedly that night, that he was most natural person to reach out to for help. Then he informed AEG.

Anthony McCartneyAnthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 40m
Kenny Ortega agreed when plaintiff's attorney Brian Panish asked him whether the email was a “cry for help.”

Anthony McCartneyAnthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 40m
Panish asked Ortega about a line in his email in which he described feeding Jackson. Ortega said he didn’t literally feed him.

Anthony McCartneyAnthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 41m
Ortega said he wanted Jackson to be evaluated by a professional, someone other than Murray.

Anthony McCartneyAnthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 41m
After the break, Panish asked Ortega if he was concerned about Conrad Murray. Ortega said yes.

Anthony McCartneyAnthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 41m
When the court recessed so Ortega could compose himself, Katherine Jackson rubbed her eyes with a tissue.

Anthony McCartneyAnthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 42m
During some of this morning’s testimony, Katherine Jackson appeared to be crying. Trent kept his arm around her for one long period.

Anthony McCartneyAnthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 42m
“I’m not OK right now,” he told the court. The judge asked if he needed a break. He said he just wanted a second, but judge ordered recess.

Anthony McCartneyAnthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 43m
Ortega broke down while reading the email. After reading the line, “It broke my heart. He’s like a lost boy,” he had to stop.

Anthony McCartneyAnthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 43m
The court took a 10 minute break around this point. When they came back, Ortega read one of his emails sent after the June 19 rehearsal.

Anthony McCartneyAnthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 43m
Ortega appeared bothered when Panish asked him about being concerned for the production. “I was only thinking about Michael,” he said.

Anthony McCartneyAnthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 43m
“I thought Michael had a problem on the 19th,” Ortega said. “I wasn’t thinking about the ('This Is It') production on the 19th.”

Anthony McCartneyAnthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 44m
It was that then that Ortega testified about the night of June 19, 2009 and being “frightened” by Jackson’s condition.

Anthony McCartneyAnthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 44m
Panish asked whether things got better or worse after the June 16 meeting at MJ’s house. Ortega said they got worse.

Anthony McCartneyAnthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 45m
Ortega said he had so much going on at the time, he just doesn’t remember it. “I could have had this meeting,” he said.

Anthony McCartneyAnthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 45m
Panish showed Ortega an email indicating he was planning to go to a meeting with Randy Phillips, others.

Anthony McCartneyAnthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 45m
Panish then asked Ortega whether he went to Jackson’s house for a meeting on June 16, 2009. KO said he didn’t remember going to the house.

Anthony McCartneyAnthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 45m
Michael Bearden email: “His (voice) sounds amazing right now, he just needs to build it back up.”

Anthony McCartneyAnthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 46m
Bearden in the email wrote that Jackson’s voice was fine, he just wanted strong enough to dance and sing at the same time.

Anthony McCartneyAnthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 46m
Singing the ballads would give him time to work up to full strength, music director Michael Bearden suggested.

Anthony McCartneyAnthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 46m
Panish then showed Ortega other emails dealing with Jackson’s voice. In one, it was suggested that MJ only sing the ballads during the show.

Anthony McCartneyAnthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 46m
Panish: “It was fairly obvious, wasn’t it?” Ortega: “Yes.”
(in reference to Jackson being at concerts while impaired.)

Anthony McCartneyAnthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 47m
Ortega said he saw Jackson under the influence of something _ he didn’t know what _ during at least 4 rehearsals.

Anthony McCartneyAnthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 47m
The director also said that Stacy Walker, who previously testified, expressed concern.

Anthony McCartneyAnthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 48m
Later, Ortega would identify Payne, Karen Faye, and Alif Sankey as workers who expressed concerns about Jackson being under the influence.

Anthony McCartneyAnthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 48m
He said he didn’t recall Travis Payne telling him Jackson looked “assisted” but he doesn’t dispute it happened.

Anthony McCartneyAnthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 48m
Ortega was then asked about Jackson showing up to rehearsal and being under the influence of something.

Anthony McCartneyAnthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 49m
Ortega said he had serious concerns at this point whether or not the “This Is It” shows would happen.

Anthony McCartneyAnthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 49m
This email was sent roughly a month before “This Is It” was scheduled to premiere at the O2 Arena.

Anthony McCartneyAnthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 49m
Ortega email snippet: “He is not in great physical shape. I believe he’s hurting. He has been slow at grabbing hold of the work.”

Anthony McCartneyAnthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 49m
Kenny Ortega discussed emails he sent on June 14, 2009 regarding Jackson’s missed rehearsals, poor condition.

Anthony McCartneyAnthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 49m
Panish asked Ortega whether he was aware of AEG Live execs wanting to “pull the plug” on him.
He said he wasn’t.

Anthony McCartneyAnthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 50m
Ortega: “I don’t think we discussed stopping the show. I think we discussed that unless things changed, we might have to.”

Anthony McCartneyAnthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 50m
Ortega initially said he thought that he and Phillips discussed stopping the show, but then clarified.

Anthony McCartneyAnthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 50m
Ortega said it’s a phrase he uses, but he didn’t recall AEG Live CEO Randy Phillips using it re: “This Is It.”

Anthony McCartneyAnthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2h
Panish then asked whether Ortega was being paid by AEG for his testimony. Ortega said no.

Anthony McCartneyAnthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2h
Plaintiff’s attorney Brian Panish asked Ortega about how he was paid when he worked with the Rolling Stones. Ortega said he got a per diem.

Anthony McCartneyAnthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2h
Just a couple updates while I'm waiting on a story link...
Katherine and Trent Jackson are in attendance today.

Anthony McCartneyAnthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2h
We're on the lunch break in the Jackson vs. AEG Live suit. I'll have a story shortly.
Lots of emotional testimony from Kenny Ortega today.

by WeAreTheWorld. Thu Jul 11, 2013 12:41 am

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 55m
Ortega of Jackson on June 23, 2009: “For some reason, all of a sudden, he looked like he had risen from the dead. He had a metamorphosis.”

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 56m
Panish asked whether Ortega knew if Jackson’s recovery was because Murray stopped giving him medications. Ortega said he didn’t know.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 56m
“All of a sudden, it was a miraculous recovery,” Ortega said. “Whatever the flu or whatever it was, wasn’t there.”

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 56m
The production was off for a few days, then Jackson returned to rehearsals on June 23rd. It was miraculous,” Ortega said.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 56m
Ortega said Jackson then told him not to be afraid and he would “’take the reins. You’ll see,’” he recalled Jackson telling him.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 56m
That led to Murray and Jackson getting in a disagreement. It wasn’t with the same intensity, though, Ortega said.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 57m
He said Jackson came to his defense, but only after he prompted him. He said it seemed like Jackson told Murray different versions.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 57m
Ortega referenced his long showbiz career and said he’d been in some difficult meetings, but had never been talked to that way by a doctor.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 57m
Panish: “Have you ever been treated like that.” Ortega replied, “Oh sure.” Jury laughed at the response.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 57m
He said Murray told him that Jackson was fine and could handle the show. “I was flabbergasted,” Ortega said. He said he was insulted.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 57m
Ortega said Murray was upset with him, told him not to be an amateur physician or psychiatrist. Ortega said he was shocked at the reaction.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 57m
Panish asked Ortega to use a word to describe the meeting. He asked for a moment, then replied, “Accusatory.”

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 58m
He then recounted the June 20 meeting at Michael Jackson’s mansion. He said he stood for most of the meeting.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 58m
Ortega said he’d never seen Jackson in as poor condition as he was on the night of June 19, 2009. He said this left him stressed.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 1h
Panish: “Given what ultimately happened to Michael, do you think you were overreacting?” Ortega replied, “No.”

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 1h
Ortega said he trusted Phillips and he got the impression that the executive was going to try to get to the bottom of Jackson’s problems.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 1h
Ortega: “I saw something that troubled me deeply and I thought it needed attention.”

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 1h
Ortega said he was trying to concern Phillips because he was alarmed by what he’d seen on night of June 19th.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 1h
Panish asked Ortega whether he knew that Phillips had written others say that the director was starting to concern him. Ortega said no.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 1h
The Phillips response is one of several emails Ortega says he’s seen, but can’t remember receiving or reading it in June 2009.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 1h
Kenny Ortega’s response brought some laughter to the courtroom, including from the jury.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 1h
Panish asked Ortega whether he was the “kind of guy that yells at people and throws tantrums, or tries to work with them?” Ortega: “Both.”

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 1h
Phillips also said they needed to “surround Mike with love and support.” Ortega said that’s what he’d been trying to do.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 1h
Ortega had only had one previous conversation with Murray. He said he didn’t know if he was successful, ethical or had been checked out.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 1h
The email included Phillips’ statement that AEG Live had checked out Conrad Murray and that he was “unbiased and ethical.”

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 1h
That afternoon, he said he received an email from Phillips urging him and everyone not to “become amateur psychiatrists or physicians.”

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 1h
He said after sending a reply to Phillips, he got a call telling him about a meeting at Jackson’s mansion later that day.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 1h
... the other in this weakened and troubled state.” (Ortega email, Part 3 of 3)

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 1h
Ortega email cont: “One (deep inside) trying to hold on to what he was and still can be and not wanting us to quit him, ... (Pt 2 of 3)

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 1h
But Ortega knew MJ wanted to keep going. Ortega email to Phillips: ““It’s like there are two people there. (cont 1 of 3.)

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 1h
Ortega said he was torn about whether “This Is It” should continue. “My instinct was we should stop,” he said.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 1h
Phillips also questioned how effective a therapist would be. Panish: “Were you stymied about getting a therapist involved?” Ortega said no.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 1h
Phillips added that despite Ortega’s suggestion that Jackson needed a therapist, Phillips said he was “stymied” about who to bring in.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 1h
Phillips, after reading Ortega’s email from earlier that day, wrote back that he would call “when I figure this out.”

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 1h
After the lunch break, Panish asked Ortega about emails he exchanged with Randy Phillips on June 20, 2009.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 1h
In the "better late than never" category,u pdates from Jackson vs AEG Live trial’s afternoon session coming up.
Lots to cover...

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 4h
Jury will also likely hear from a damages expert tomorrow.
The trial won't be in session on Friday.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 4h
Kenny Ortega has to travel for work, so he won't resume testifying until August 1st.
Plaintiff's side finished their questioning.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 4h
We're done for the day in Jackson vs AEG Live -- jury returns tomorrow at 9:45 a.m.
Taj Jackson will be back on the stand.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 6h
We're on the afternoon break in Jackson vs AEG Live. Probably won't get many updates out now.
Panish's questioning of Kenny Ortega continues

by WeAreTheWorld. Thu Jul 11, 2013 12:50 am

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 45m
With that, court recessed for the day. Putnam told Ortega, “I look forward to seeing you in a couple weeks, sir.”

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 45m
He said he believed the execs cared for Jackson “because of the way they supported him throughout the entire venture.”

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 46m
Ortega said there wasn’t any reason for him to think that Phillips and Gongaware didn’t still love Jackson.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 46m
Putnam asked Ortega about how he thought Phillips and Gongaware viewed Jackson. “I felt they loved him,” he said.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 49m
Putnam asked Ortega if it was understandable that Phillips may have been confused by the conflicting info he was receiving. Yes, he replied.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 49m
Putnam showed Ortega the span of time between Bugzee’s email reporting problems to Phillips and some of the exec’s responses, abt 15 hours.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 49m
Then Putnam asked about Ortega’s impressions of Phillips. “I thought he was a professional,” Ortega said.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 49m
The lawyer went over the “trouble at the Front” email from production manager John “Bugzhee” Hougdahl.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 49m
Putnam: “The fact that you don’t remember a specific email doesn’t mean you were being evasive?” Ortega replied no.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 49m
Putnam asked about Ortega’s lack of recollection about certain emails. The director said he didn’t read every email at the time.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 49m
Ortega said he only saw Murray three or four times before the meeting on June 20, 2009.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 50m
Putnam asked about when Ortega first met Murray. He said it was in March or April, and Murray was introduced as MJ’s personal doctor.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 50m
Putnam asked whether Phillips or Gongaware were involved then. Ortega said no. (And AEG Live wasn’t in existence.)

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 50m
The director said Jackson seemed anxious about that show and changed that were being make creatively.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 50m
Ortega said the other time was in 1995 during preparations for an HBO special. It wasn’t as bad then, he said.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 50m
Putnam asked whether the night of June 19, 2009 was the first time Ortega was worried about Jackson’s psychological state. He said no.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 50m
Ortega: “They probably wouldn’t want to pay my legal fees,” he said. Ortega said the payments didn’t sway his testimony.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 50m
Putnam asked about AEG paying Ortega’s legal fees. Ortega said it was because they were contractually obligated to.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 50m
AEG Live defense attorney Marvin Putnam took over. He told jury that Ortega would be leaving for a few weeks, so he had to hurry.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 51m
Panish asked about Jackson’s love for his mother, which Ortega said was “very clear, very obvious.” He then ended his questioning.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 51m
“He gave them Christmas every day of the year,” Ortega said.
There were also paper airplanes thrown everywhere, he recalled.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 51m
The director recounted going to Jackson’s mansion in April and finding Christmas decorations everywhere.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 51m
Ortega said he thought the masked child was Prince, but wasn’t sure. Panish then asked about Jackson’s children.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 51m
Panish apologized, and then they tried to figure out whether it was Prince or Paris in the photo because he/she was wearing a mask.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 51m
Ortega, who’s phone calls had been discussed earlier, quipped, “You don’t show my telephone number, but you show my profile.”
Jury laughed.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 52m
Panish then showed several photos of Jackson and Ortega together. One was a side-shot of them walking, and one of MJ’s children was there.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 52m
Panish couldn’t remember it either, so the lawyer turned and bent down into the audience and asked Katherine Jackson. “Captain Eo,” she said

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 57m
When they returned, Panish asked about Jackson’s passion for filmmaking. He struggled to remember the name of one Jackson work.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 57m
Panish asked Ortega several questions about the making of “This Is It” before taking the afternoon break.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 57m
He said he thought it was a prank call and didn’t believe it. Gongaware somehow convinced him he was telling the truth.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 57m
Ortega then recounted the call from Gongaware about Jackson’s death. Gongaware said, “’Our boy is gone,” the director said.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 57m
Ortega said on June 25th, he was under the impression that Randy Phillips was on his way to Jackson’s home to pick him up for rehearsals.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 57m
“Those places are like refrigerators,” Ortega replied. He said Jackson had a blanket wrapped around him, but not like 5 days earlier.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 57m
Panish played a clip of “Earth Song” in which Jackson is wearing a long jacket. The lawyer asked Ortega if Staples Center was cold.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 58m
Ortega began to get emotional again. He was taking deep breaths at points. He recounted hearing that Jackson had died from Gongaware.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 58m
Panish then asked Ortega about the last song Jackson performed. It was “Earth Song” on the night of June 24, 2009.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 58m
It seemed like Jackson had gotten some “real sleep,” Ortega said of Jackson.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 59m
Ortega said Jackson’s transformation led him to doubt himself. He said he was like someone who had a short illness.

by WeAreTheWorld. Thu Jul 11, 2013 9:46 pm

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 1h
Chang’s questioning of Taj ended at this point. AEG Live defense attorney Kathryn Cahan then began her cross-examination.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 1h
Chang also showed a note that Jackson wrote about Blanket’s favorite letters at age 6, one of which was D for “Daddy.”

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 1h
Paris’ note: “Dear Daddy I love you so much & I’m so glad I got a goodnight hug. Sleep well, I love you & good night.”

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 1h
The court broke for lunch. After the case resumed, Chang showed Taj a note written by Paris Jackson to her father.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 1h
The notes will be used by an expert for the plaintiffs who will estimate the damages if AEG Live is found liable in the case.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 1h
AEG Live wants to argue against allowing the notes to be shown to the jury. Jackson’s attorneys want them shown.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 1h
There were several notes that Taj authenticated were written by his uncle, but they weren’t shown to the jury.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 1h
He said he saw hundreds of these notes, both when he lived at Neverland Ranch for a year and after his uncle’s death at his mansion.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 1h
Taj said his uncle organized notes in three categories: Inspirational, Loving keepsakes and “To Do” topics for meetings.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 1h
They showed some of Jackson’s inspirational notes, which included one that read, “Love No Violence Ever.”

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 1h
Taj said some of the notes and writings Michael Jackson kept were sentimental. This included keeping his sister Janet’s report card.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 1h
After discussing films, Chang asked Taj about his uncle’s custom of writing notes. He said his uncle had a system of taking notes.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 1h
Updates from Jackson vs AEG Live coming up. We're done for the week.
Jury returns at 10 a.m. PDT on Monday.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 3h
He said Jackson told him to study 3D filmmaking. Michael Jackson “loved the technology” and wanted to do “groundbreaking” work with it.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 3h
Taj said his uncle was interested in several films, including one based on King Tut, another called “Chicago 7” and an updated “Thriller”

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 3h
He said Michael Jackson would study film, and even was taking a class from a USC film school teacher.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 3h
Taj said a scene in Jackson’s “Moonwalker” was inspired by his love of the “Transformers” cartoon.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 3h
Taj said he wished he had paid more attention, since Francis Ford Coppola and George Lucas were involved.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 3h
After discussing films, Chang asked Taj about his uncle’s interest in films. Taj recounted being on the set of “Captain Eo.”

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 3h
Taj also mentioned that his uncle kept up with new artists and liked finding new collaborators. He cited MJ’s song with Akon.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 3h
Jackson played the song “She Drives Me Crazy” by the Fine Young Cannibals for Taj, his brothers, so they could learn to listen to music.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 3h
He also recounted his uncle working with his nephews to teach them about what makes great music.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 3h
Taj said Michael Jackson’s voice was spent from recording a rock song that day, but he performed his part of the song in one take.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 3h
He recounted how Jackson sang with 3T on the “I Need You.” He said his uncle came into 3T’s studio to record vocals after his own session.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 3h
Taj gave lots of recollections about his uncle and how he mentored him. “He was a perfectionist when it came to his craft, whatever it was.”

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 3h
That note was written on stationary from Michael Jackson’s Neverland Ranch.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 3h
Chang showed Taj a note that his uncle wrote him. “Taj I love you and am proud of you,” the singer wrote. “P.S. Please rehearse.”

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 3h
Taj is Tito Jackson’s oldest son and Michael Jackson’s nephew. He described Michael Jackson as a “father figure” to him, his brothers.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 3h
Plaintiff’s attorney Deborah Chang did the questioning and asked for a refresher on his role in the family.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 3h
The following are some updates from the morning session in Jackson vs AEG Live. Taj Jackson resumed testifying.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 3h
I'll have updates on this issue once it's resolved.
Some updates from morning session coming up now...

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 3h
The sidebar was called by plaintiff's attorney's after AEG Live attorney Kathryn Cahan started asking about Jackson's children.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 3h
The second sidebar went on for about 15 mins before the court took the recess. They'll reconvene in a bit to finish discussing the issue.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 3h
We're on a short afternoon break in Jackson vs AEG Live. There have been two sidebars since AEG Live's attorneys started questioning Taj.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 6h
"Sometimes it takes time to come to a decision," Judge Yvette Palazuelos told jurors. She told them not to hold delays against the attorneys

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 6h
The judge apologized to jurors for keeping them waiting for more than an hour. She explained that she needed time to work out legal issues.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 6h
We're on the afternoon break in Jackson vs AEG Live. Jury only heard about 40 mins of testimony this morning from Taj Jackson.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 8h
More notes may come in -- they're talking about those now.
I'll have additional updates after testimony gets started and we get a break.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 8h
The notes include on that Paris wrote to her father, and the other is one that Jackson wrote about Blanket's words.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 8h
Superior Court Judge Yvette Palazuelos will allow Taj to talk about notes he found in his uncle Michael's possessions.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 8h
Testimony hasn't yet resumed in Jackson vs AEG Live case. Judge has been hearing arguments before Taj Jackson takes the stand.

by WeAreTheWorld. Thu Jul 11, 2013 9:50 pm

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 1h
The judge agreed to allow him to be “subject to recall” which means he may return to the witness stand if necessary.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 1h
Cahan quickly moved on and asked a few more questions before ending her examination. Taj was released shortly after that.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 1h
After reading it, Taj said, “That’s not the same. That’s Nancy Grace.”
There was laughter in the courtroom.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 1h
Plaintiff’s attorney Brian Panish objected to showing Taj the document, but the judge allowed it.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 1h
It was a Twitlonger post urging people not to give credibility to a report by Roger Friedman. He mentioned a Grace at the end of the post.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 1h
Taj responded yes in response to a question asking whether Grace was truthful. Cahan then wanted to show a post from Taj’s Twitter account.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 1h
Cahan then asked about Taj’s Twitter account, and questioned him about nanny Grace Rwaramba and whether he thought she was honest.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 1h
After court, AEG Live defense attorney Marvin Putnam said it was paternity that was subject to the order.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 1h
The plaintiff’s side had said before going into chambers that the mention of Rowe’s status was a violation of a pretrial order.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 1h
The judge read it very fast, but the gist was telling the jury that Rowe’s “relationship with the children, if any, is not an issue” in case

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 1h
The sidebar in total lasted quite a while. The judge read a jury instruction when they came back in session, probably 1/2 an hour later.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 1h
Taj said Rowe had started a relationship with Paris, as far as he knew. The plaintiffs then asked for a sidebar.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 1h
Taj: “From what I know, yes.” Cahan: “She’s Prince and Paris’ mother, yes?” Taj: “Biological mother, yes.”

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 1h
The attorney then asked about Debbie Rowe and whether she had become involved in the children’s lives recently.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 1h
Cahan asked about Taj’s relationship with Prince, Paris and Blanket. He said he has been there for him since their father died.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 1h
Cahan asked a few questions about Taj’s music career, then moved on to questions about Michael Jackson’s kids.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 1h
Taj responded that wasn’t surprising, his uncle wanted to partner with Peter Jackson and other filmmakers.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 1h
Cahan asked Taj whether his uncle ever mentioned he wanted to partner with Kenny Ortega on films.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 1h
Jackson’s statement was made in May 2009 at a 60th anniversary party for Joe and Katherine Jackson, Taj said.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 1h
Cahan asked Taj about his uncle’s movie aspirations. Taj said the last time he saw his uncle, MJ told him, “After this, we’re doing films.”

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 1h
They went into a sidebar that the judge requested. Cahan asked a couple more questions about the security computer, but moved on.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 1h
Taj wasn’t sure of the dates when he received the computers, or when he turned the machine over to the estate.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 1h
Taj said he turned over the computer because Jackson’s estate was looking for hard drives with Michael Jackson music.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 1h
Taj said he asked Williams for the password and got one, but it didn’t work. He said the estate wasn’t interested in the computer.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 1h
The second computer was password protected and was apparently used by MJ’s assistant, Michael Amir Williams.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 1h
Taj said one contained music and was turned over to Michael Jackson’s estate. The other one was used by security at MJ’s mansion.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 1h
The Mac computers were given to Taj by LaToya Jackson’s business partner at the family’s Encino home, he said.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 1h
There was a lot of discussion about the box, and then Cahan moved on to questions about two computers that Taj received at a later time.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 1h
Taj said he also picked up some of his uncle’s motivational notes. He said he didn’t remember who handed him the box.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 1h
Cahan then asked about Taj going to his uncle’s mansion after he died. He received a box of documents while there.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 1h
He said reluctantly agreed to let his uncle pay him to take care of the storage units.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 1h
“He had been betrayed his whole life. He knew he could trust me,” Taj Jackson said of his uncle Michael.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 1h
Asked why Jackson would want his possessions transferred over, Taj said there were “very few people my uncle trusted.”

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 1h
One of the facilities, the largest, housed items from Neverland Ranch. Two smaller ones had personal keepsakes, Taj said.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 1h
He said his family lost many of his mother’s possessions after she was killed due to a lien, and his uncle didn’t want the same to happen.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 1h
Taj said his uncle wanted him to be responsible for the storage lockers and wanted to transfer them into his name.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 1h
Cahan asked several questions about storage lockers that Michael Jackson wanted his nephew Taj to be responsible for.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 1h
Taj added that Jackson was always working on new music. “I don’t think he would have stopped recording.”

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 1h
Cahan asked how Taj knew MJ was recording new music. He said he thought he heard about it on the news or from relatives.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 1h
Taj also said he talked to his uncle when he was trying to stop an auction of his possessions.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 1h
Cahan then asked how often Taj saw his uncle in late 2008-2009. Taj said he saw him once at Bel-Air hotel, and again at an anniversary party

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 1h
Cahan asked if he ever saw drugs in his uncle's hotel rooms. Taj said no and he never saw MJ use drugs, or under the influence of any meds.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 1h
She asked Taj about all the time he spent around Jackson. She asked Taj about staying with his uncle on tours.

by **Admin** Mon Jul 15, 2013 5:17 pm

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 1h Updated story on expert's calculation that Michael Jackson's lost earnings ranged from $1.1 to $1.5 billion: [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 1h I'll have a longer story on CPA Arthur Erk's estimates on Michael Jackson's lost earnings out shortly.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 1h Expert testifies Michael Jackson would have earned more than $1.1 billion on "This Is It" worldwide tour, Vegas show: [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

by **Admin** Mon Jul 15, 2013 6:53 pm

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 24m I'm headed back into court for the resumption of testimony. Will have updates later on this afternoon.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 25m The judge said she didn't know if someone was trying to get a shot of the jury, but noted photos inside the courthouse are barred.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 25m Superior Court Judge Yvette Palazuelos said new security measures for jurors may be implemented, but didn’t elaborate.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 25m A bailiff said the sheriff’s department is looking into the incident. The judge also informed jury of the incident.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 25m There is a tiny window on each of the two doors going into the courtroom. The judge said those windows would now be blocked during the trial

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 26m After the lunch break, the judge informed attorneys that several jurors reported seeing a camera pressed to a window in the courtroom door.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 26m Just to jump forward a bit, there was another issue involving the trial after the lunch break.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 26m Erk's estimates on Jackson's loss of income are covered in this story: [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 27m On the B.I.G. case, Erk worked with Katherine Jackson’s lawyer Perry Sanders on that case. He said he didn’t testify in that case.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 27m Erk also consulted on a wrongful death case involving the estate of Notorious B.I.G.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 27m ... (cont) and a second case involving the musician Meatloaf.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 28m Plaintiff’s attorney Brian Panish asked Erk about other cases he’s testified in. He cited two cases, one involving KISS ... (cont)

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 28m Erk spent early part of his testimony Monday explaining copyrights and the various licenses needed to commercially release music.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 28m Erk explained his credentials last week. He’s a specialist in doing audits on artist royalties and has performed audits for Michael Jackson.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 29m CPA Arthur Erk is back on the stand. He’s being estimating Michael Jackson's lost earnings if had lived and performed "This Is It" shows.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 29m Lots of figures and graphs shown today in Jackson vs AEG Live case. Will have a couple updates before we go back into court.

by **Admin** Mon Jul 15, 2013 9:01 pm

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 16h Some of the remaining plaintiff's witnesses include an economist, Dr. Emery Brown (propofol expert) and Katherine Jackson.

Anthony McCartney @mccartneyAP 5m AEG Live's cross-examination also focused on other assumptions Erk made about Jackson performing a long tour.
Covered those in the story.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 6m Katherine Jackson said her son didn't want to be performing the Moonwalk on stage when he was 50.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 7m In it, Mrs. Jackson says she was surprised to see her son announcing the "This Is It" tour. She recounted his statement re: touring.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 8m AEG Live defense attorney Sabrina Strong played a clip from Katherine Jackson's April 20, 2013, deposition in court today.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 8m Story on Michael Jackson's potential lost earnings updated to include his mother's statements about tour: [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 47m Scheduling note: tomorrow will be a half day, with court in session only for the morning.
Erk is expected to testify all morning.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 48m We're done for the day in Jackson vs AEG Live. CPA Arthur Erk will be back on the stand tomorrow at 9:30 am PDT.

by **Admin** Tue Jul 16, 2013 3:06 pm

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 52m AEG Live attacks expert's projection of Michael Jackson earning more than $1 billion from shows: [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 1h Strong said she had another 2-3 hours of questions for Erk tomorrow, so he may not wrap up testimony until the afternoon.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 1h AEG Live defense attorney Sabrina Strong's cross-examination focused on trying to show there wasn't historical basis for Erk's projections.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 1h We're done for the day in Jackson vs AEG Live. CPA Arthur Erk will remain on the stand Wednesday. AEG continues to cross-examine him.

by WeAreTheWorld. Tue Jul 16, 2013 10:42 pm

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 4h
I'll be back in court tomorrow, will have updates on the case throughout the day, depending on breaks & my need to file stories.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 4h
The clerk asked Putnam to leave and said she would report the shouting match to the judge and it would be addressed on Wednesday.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 4h
Panish said he overheard Putnam say something, and the attorneys exchanged words.
Judge Palazuelos’ clerk came out and calmed things down.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 4h
Plaintiff’s lawyer Brian Panish and AEG defense attorney Marvin Putnam shouted at each other after court.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 4h
It happened after testimony ended and I believe all the jurors were gone by the time this happened.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 4h
One issue that may come in court tomorrow morning _ a verbal tiff between lawyers on the case in hallway outside the Jackson courtroom.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 4h
That ended testimony for the day in Jackson vs. AEG Live. Cross examination of CPA Arthur Erk will resume tomorrow morning.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 4h
Erk said that would have depended on whether a show could have been negotiated to be performed at the venue.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 4h
That detail isn’t currently on the Wikipedia page, but Strong said if it’s true then Jackson couldn’t have performed 10 shows there.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 4h
The lawyer then asked whether Erk noticed in his online research that the government banned concerts at Salt Lake Stadium in 2009.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 4h
Strong asked Erk about his research, noting that he based a lot of it on Wikipedia information. (Wiki here: [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] …)

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 4h
The lawyer said Jackson only played one show in his lifetime in India. Erk projected him to do 60 shows in India on “This Is It” tour.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 4h
Strong moved on to Erk’s projection for Jackson concerts in India, including his estimate for 10 shows at Salt Lake Stadium which seats 120k

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 4h
The accountant added that Jackson needed the money, and that was a “great impetus to go out and do the shows.”

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 4h
Erk said he thought that was possible. “There’s a tremendous amount of pent up demand,” for Jackson shows in ’09, he said.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 4h
Erk and Strong went back-and-forth over several venues, and the lawyer challenged him on his projection that MJ would sell out every show.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 4h
The accountant had to concede he didn’t really know the seating capacity, and hadn’t talked to anyone who does for his calculations.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 4h
Erk said he didn’t agree with Strong or AEG’s figures, saying more tickets could have been sold for spots on the field at many venues.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 4h
She told Erk to assume that AEG had put on shows at Lucas Oil Stadium and the seating capacity was 51,000 seats.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 4h
Strong noted that Erk hadn’t worked on concert tours and hadn't consulted with people who had for his projections.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 4h
Strong asked about various stadiums, including Luca Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. Seating capacity is 70,000, but is lower for concerts.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 4h
The seats aren’t available because of sight lines to the stage or other factors. Strong used them to challenge Erk’s numbers for "TII" tour.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 4h
Strong then moved deeper into projections for MJ world tour. She asked him about “production kills” -- seats that can’t be used in venues.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 4h
Erk replied that the 80s were when Michael Jackson got the term “King of Pop.”

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 4h
Strong asked Erk to agree with her that Jackson’s reputation was better in the 1980s than in late 2000s.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 4h
Few last updates from testimony in Jackson vs AEG Live trial coming up...

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 5h
Erk said he spoke to Jackson’s son Prince on Saturday night. He said Prince told him his father said, “’We’re going to Asia.”

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 5h
He said plans for a worldwide tour were mentioned by Kenny Ortega and Paris Jackson in her deposition.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 5h
Strong and Erk argued over whether the worldwide tour was contemplated by AEG Live.
Erk said a worldwide tour was considered.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 5h
Erk said AEG Live expected Jackson’s image to be rehabilitated after initial “This Is It” shows to the point he could tour in U.S. again.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 5h
Strong then brought up Jackson’s child molestation trial and his dangling Blanket over the balcony. Erk said they weren’t factors.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 5h
The accountant also defended his calculations, saying his were in line with what other acts made if you added more shows to their tours.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 5h
Erk explained that Jackson tended “not to go crazy with his ticket prices.” He said he charged less than his counterparts.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 5h
Strong then asked about Jackson’s place among other acts in highest-grossing concerts. None of his tours were in the Top 25.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 5h
(In reality, the 275 shows were performed in a 10-year span between 1987 and 1997, according to figures shown in court.)

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 5h
“HIStory” was 82 shows and Jackson was 38. In total, Strong and Erk said Jackson did 275 shows between 1987 and 2008.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 5h
“Bad” was the longest tour with 123 shows. Jackson was 29 at the time.
“Dangerous” was roughly 70 shows; MJ was 33 years old.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 5h
Strong then started walking Erk through Jackson’s solo tour history. She asked him about the “Bad,” “Dangerous” and “HIStory” tours.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 5h
Erk said he had 34 years of experience. “We boiled down what we thought was necessary to do the calculations,” he said.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 5h
Erk added that if he’d gone through the expense records that Strong described, his firm's fees for the case would have been in the millions.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 5h
Strong asked how much the expert and his firm had billed for work on the case. He said they’d billed $300,000.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 5h
Strong cited at least 71,000 pages of records of Jackson’s expenses that had been produced in the case. Erk said he didn’t go through them.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 5h
She asked him whether he had any idea how much Jackson earned in any year of his life. No, Erk replied.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 5h
Strong then asked whether Erk considered how much Jackson earned in 2001, 2002 and other years. He said he hadn’t.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 5h
Panish objected to Strong’s questions about the debts and how she phrased certain questions.
Judge sustained some of the objections.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 5h
Erk:”That wasn’t my job to consider that.”
Strong: “You were just asked to calculate how much he would have made.”
Yes, he replied.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 5h
Erk said he didn’t consider Jackson’s debts outside $570k a month in expenses, including repayment on Sony/ATV loan.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 5h
Strong: “Michael Jackson had no ability to meet that obligation, correct?”
Erk: “Correct.”

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 5h
Strong asked about a note coming due on Jackson’s loan against the SonyATV music catalog in 2009, saying he couldn’t pay it.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 5h
The lawyer also mentioned that Jackson had borrowed money against his music catalog. Erk agreed MJ “had loans on his assets.”

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 5h
Strong mentioned the deposition testimony of several of Jackson’s business managers that the singer consistently spent more than he earned.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 5h
Strong mentioned that the Jacksons’ Hayvenhurst home was facing foreclosure twice this morning. The 2nd time, Mrs. Jackson shook her head.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 5h
Erk: “The reason he was going on tour was he was going to get himself straight, pay off his debts and take care of his family.”

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 5h
Strong then mentioned that the Jackson family home in Encino was facing foreclosure in June 2009 and didn’t have access to cash.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 5h
Strong then began to question Erk about Jackson’s spending, again stating that when he died he was at least $400 million in debt.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 5h
Erk projected the worldwide tour would go to India, Japan, Central Europe and return Jackson to the U.S. for shows as well.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 5h
Erk agreed with Srong on this and several other questions, including one in which she said AEG didn’t contemplate 260 shows.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 5h
Strong started out a question with "Let's be clear" and proceeded to state that AEG Live never projected $900 million in earnings for "TII"

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 5h
A big piece of Erk’s estimates was the idea that Jackson would have done a 37-month, 260 show worldwide “This Is It” tour.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 5h
Strong immediately asked Erk about his testimony that he had used AEG Live’s figures to reach his $1 billion + estimates.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 5h
After that, the jury was brought in and cross-examination of CPA Arthur Erk was handled by AEG Live defense attorney Sabrina Strong.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 5h
The judge agreed with AEG Live and she wouldn’t instruct the jury regarding the judgment. “Let’s keep going, she said.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 5h
AEG’s attorneys argued that the case had been settled for $6.5 million. The appeal was dropped, they said, which made the judgment final.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 5h
Panish argued it was improper “character evidence” and shouldn’t have been shown to the jury on Monday.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 5h
Plaintiff’s attorney Brian Panish argued that the $5 million judgment against Jackson wasn’t final -- it had been appealed and later settled

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 5h
The judgment was related to case filed by concert promoter Marcel Avram against Jackson in Santa Barbara. Plaintiffs objected to its use.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 5h
Court opened this morning with arguments on whether it was proper for AEG lawyers to show Erk a judgment against Jackson.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 5h
Katherine and Trent Jackson are in attendance for Jackson vs. AEG Live trial.
Trent kept his arm around Katherine for part of the testimony.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 5h
Some updates coming in Jackson vs. AEG Live trial. Today was a half-day session. Court resumes tomorrow at 9:45 a.m. PDT.

by WeAreTheWorld. Wed Jul 17, 2013 10:57 pm

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 1h
Folks, gotta sign off for a few hours (maybe the night.)
Will be back on the Jackson case on Friday (if not sooner...)

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2h
Jackson attorney Brian Panish used the tour plans to show AEG had plans for worldwide tour, similarities with their expert's opinions.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2h
The plans were used by both sides in court. AEG used them to show their projections were lower than the experts.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2h
Story link I just posted comprises some of plaintiff's questioning of CPA Arthur Erk in Jackson vs AEG Live case.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2h
"I have no intention of calling him," AEG Live defense attorney Marvin S. Putnam said when asked about calling Conrad Murray as a witness.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2h
During arguments on Dr. Brown's testimony, the judge asked AEG's attorneys whether they intend to call Conrad Murray.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2h
I won't be covering the trial tomorrow _ will be working Emmy nominations bright and early tomorrow.
AP's Linda Deutsch will be covering.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2h
Tomorrow's witnesses are expected to be videotaped testimony by Dr. Emery Brown in the morning, economist Peter Formuzis in the afternoon.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2h
I've got a story coming shortly on today's testimony. Will get a few updates out soon after that.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 3h
We're done for the day in Jackson vs. AEG Live. Testimony will resume tomorrow at 10 a.m. PDT.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 6h
I'l address those later.
Plaintiff's attorney Brian Panish will resume questioning after the lunch break.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 6h
I've got to get back to court. There were a few more questions that Strong asked and she played a clip of Paris Jackson's deposition.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 6h
Erk said his projections were much higher than these figures because the success of “This Is It” ticket sales showed the demand for MJ shows

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 6h
He said that was in a proposal to Colony Capital and was based on a tour of 186 concerts. This was before “TII” contract was signed.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 6h
The accountant said AEG prepared figures in 2008 showing that Jackson could earn $132 million for a worldwide tour.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 6h
Erk estimated Jackson would earn $452 million for worldwide concerts, another $121 million in merch and $317m for endorsements.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 6h
It appeared AEG estimated Jackson would also receive another $8 million in merchandise sales (The #s were small on the screen.)

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 6h
The AEG budget estimated Jackson would receive between $22 million and $30.7 million from the London “This Is It” shows.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 6h
After a break, Strong asked Erk about his reliance on an AEG Live budget for his projections. He used a budget prepared on June 24, 2009.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 6h
The accountant estimated that concert-goers would spend an average of $19 on MJ-merchandise at each concert.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 6h
Erk said he didn’t think he over-estimated the number of tickets that would be sold on a “This Is It” world tour.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 6h
Strong also asked whether Erk’s merchandise estimates were overly-optimistic due to possible over-inflation of his ticket sales projections.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 6h
... been involved in a high-profile criminal trial. Erk said that he did not know of any artist who’d received such a big deal after a trial

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 6h
The lawyer asked Erk whether he knew of any artist who got a sponsorship deal worth hundreds of millions of dollars who’d (cont) ...

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 6h
In discussing the Beyonce deal, Strong brought up the child molestation trial and Beyonce’s squeaky clean image.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 6h
Using gross figures wouldn't account for any sharing of the deal’s profits with AEG Live or some other entity.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 6h
Strong also pointed out that Erk’s numbers were gross figures, meaning that he calculated Jackson would receive the full $267 million.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 6h
Erk assumed that Jackson would get a “Pepsi-like” endorsement deal with several companies, but he’s not aware of any deals pending in 2009.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 6h
The accountant adjusted his figures for Jackson up based on his assumption that the singer would do a 260 show worldwide tour.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 6h
Beyonce’s reported deal _ Erk doesn’t know if the figures are right _ was the equivalent of 42% of her tour revenues.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 6h
Erk based that figure on a calculation based off the reported $50 million value of a Beyonce/Pepsi endorsement deal.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 6h
Strong also challenged Erk’s projection that Jackson would have gotten another endorsement deal worth $267 million.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 6h
Erk said it was his expectation that Jackson would get an endorsement deal based on his popularity in the 1980s, “This Is It” ticket sales.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 6h
Erk projected that Jackson would get a $50 million clothing endorsement deal. Strong tried to get Erk to say that was pure speculation.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 6h
Strong challenged all of Erk’s figures this morning, starting out with his endorsement projections. Erk stated his figures were conservative

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 6h
A few more updates from the morning session in Jackson vs AEG Live coming up...

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 7h
AEG Live defense attorney Sabrina Strong concluded her cross-examination of CPA Arthur Erk before the lunch break.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 8h
Strong continued to challenge Erk’s projections of Michael Jackson’s earnings. She focused on estimates for endorsement deals.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 8h
AEG Live defense attorney Sabrina Strong continued her cross-examination of CPA Arthur Erk, who started testifying on Friday.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 8h
Palazuelos: “Even though we’re going over a little bit, I don’t think it’s unreasonable.” She told juror to convey any concerns to the court

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 8h
Palazuelos told the jury she expected the case to end in mid-September, which is later than some jurors thought they’d be here.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 8h
... estimate is off by a few days, then that would put the end of their case in mid-September.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 8h
For the first half of September, there are only four days court is in session. Plaintiff’s lawyer Brian Panish noted that if the defense ...

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 8h
Putnam said he’s weighing how much of a defense he needs to put up, and Palazuelos told him he needed to take as long as he needs.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 8h
AEG Live defense attorney Marvin Putnam said he’s going to try to wrap up his case by the end of August, assuming plaintiff’s rest this week

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 8h
When the judge took the bench, the attorneys addressed the time estimate of the trial. The jury inquired about it yesterday.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 8h
Superior Court Judge Yvette Palazuelos also called the attorneys into chambers and met with them before testimony resumed.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 8h
Before testimony began, the clerk outlined the rules for the courtroom and courthouse, saying no interviews should occur outside courtroom.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 8h
We're on the morning break in Jackson vs AEG Live case. A few updates coming...

by **Admin** Thu Jul 18, 2013 6:14 pm

waiting to see if AM from AP is posting tweets today or even at the trial...

by WeAreTheWorld. Fri Jul 19, 2013 8:55 pm

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 31m
Katherine Jackson said she didn’t recognize him until he said, “It’s me mother.” They then went out and knocked on people’s doors.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 31m
He also wore a disguise when they went out to speak to people about being Jehovah’s Witnesses, Katherine Jackson said.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 32m
One time was on the set of his short film “Ghost.” She visited the set and was greeted by a white man. It was MJ, in makeup.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 32m
She recounted a couple incidents in which her son Michael disguised himself and she didn’t realize it was him.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 32m
Mrs. Jackson said he surprised her by fixing up that room in that way. He also put up a plaque with a poem to his mom that's still there.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 33m
She discussed her son remodeling Hayvenhurst for her, and taking family photos and blowing them up to hang in his dance rehearsal space.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 33m
Panish asked whether success got to her son’s head. “No,” she replied. “Michael was the most humble person around.”

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 33m
She mentioned that Michael lived at the family home at Hayvenhust until he was 30 years. He practiced dancing in a room above the garage.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 33m
Michael Jackson would write notes about how many records he wanted to sell from each album. She said his notes would come true.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 33m
Panish then asked her about MJ’s practice of writing notes. He “wrote notes to himself all the time,” she said.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 34m
Katherine Jackson said her grandson Prince is a better student than Michael was, though. Panish played a clip from “The Wiz.”

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 34m
She told the jury that her son liked art and that some of his drawings had been sold. She mentioned his songwriting as well.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 34m
“My son is not lazy,” Katherine Jackson said. “You don’t get to be the biggest” _ she paused for several seconds _ “by being lazy.”

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 34m
Panish asked Katherine Jackson whether her son sat around and watched TV. No, she said.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 35m
It was a friend’s pit bull that they were watching, and the dog bit off a chunk of Randy’s arm, Katherine Jackson said.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 35m
Katherine Jackson also related why her son disliked dogs. She said it was because one badly bit his brother Randy when they were children.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 35m
Michael Jackson kept the rat in the inside breast pocket of his coat and was feeding it.
Katherine Jackson said she didn't like that.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 36m
Katherine Jackson: “Michael liked that song because he liked rats.” She mentioned him bringing one to a Beverly Hills restaurant.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 36m
Panish also played a clip of Jackson performing the song “Ben” at the Academy Awards. He was introduced by Charlton Heston.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 36m
He also played a clip from 1983’s “Motown 25” performance by the Jackson 5.
It was the first time MJ performed the Moonwalk.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 37m
Panish played a few video clips of the brothers performing and Michael Jackson dancing, singing as a youngster.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 37m
Sometimes, Mrs. Jackson said the girls would stay so late she would drive them home at night.
There was some laughter at that.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 38m
She said there were always a lot of female fans around their Hayvenhurst home. “I got so tired of it," she said.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 38m
Mrs. Jackson related some anecdotes of “Jackson Mania,” as her attorney Brian Panish described it.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 38m
“My dream was to live in California,” Katherine Jackson said.
She said she wanted to get away from cold Midwestern winters.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 39m
She described seeing California depicted in news reel footage during WWII.
It was a lot of convertibles, palm trees, she said.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 39m
Mrs. Jackson described the family moving to California after signing with Motown Records. It was a place she’d wanted to live for years.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 39m
Finally had a chance to go back over my notes. Updates on Katherine Jackson's testimony coming up...

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2h
Putnam was talking more slowly than normal. He asked Mrs. Jackson about dates of the suit, Conrad Murray trial.
She didn't recall them.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2h
Panish said after Mrs. Jackson left that it might help if the questions are posed more slowly on Monday.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2h
Putnam's questions centered on Katherine Jackson's discussions before filing her lawsuit. She'd been asked about this before lunch.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2h
Her testimony is expected to wrap up on Monday. Panish said that Putnam indicated he had "hours" of questions.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2h
Plaintiff's attorney Brian Panish had told the court Mrs. Jackson would only testify for about an hour Friday afternoon.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2h
I'll have an updated story out soon. The judge conferred with Mrs. Jackson after she had difficulty answering several questions from Putnam.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2h
We're done for the day in Katherine Jackson vs AEG Live. Mrs. Jackson testified for about 10 mins before judge recessing for the weekend.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 4h
I've got to get back to the courtroom. Will try to post more before we go in session.
It's been difficult to get a signal today.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 4h
Mrs. Jackson described the family’s TV breaking down and not having money to fix it. Music filled the house instead.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 4h
She said every year she’d buy ¼ or ½ a cow for food. “That’s how we would survive.”

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 4h
She also described the family’s hardscrabble years as they struggled to scrape by. “I picked vegetables, I canned food,” Mrs. Jackson said.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 4h
She described moving the family to Gary Ind. after marrying Joe Jackson.
They moved into a home on Jackson street, a coincidence.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 4h
She was then shown photo of Michael Jackson when he was 2. He was smiling. “It shows him as a sweet little boy to me,” she said. “My baby.”

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 4h
Instead, she said Michael Jackson would the candy and play “Store Man,” a game in which he was merchant.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 4h
She said Michael Jackson would save money to buy candy at the Little League field. But he didn't eat it all.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 4h
The team was named after the mayor at the time, who sponsored the team, Katherine Jackson said.
The mayor was in the photo, next to her sons

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 4h
Panish also showed a photo of the Jackson’s home in Gary, Ind. & pics of Jermaine and Tito on their Little League team, the Katz Kittens.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 4h
Another photo was of Mrs. Jackson when she was in high school. She seemed embarrassed, and told the lawyer to take it down.
Panish did.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 4h
One of the images was was a picture of Mrs. Jackson with her father and her son Michael.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 4h
After this, Panish moved into a long series of questions about the family’s biography. Panish showed Katherine Jackson several family photos

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 4h
Katherine Jackson: “It makes me feel bad because I know my son was a very good person,” she said.
She mentioned his charitable giving.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 4h
Panish asked Mrs. Jackson about having to sit in court and hear a lot of questions she didn’t like.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 4h
“A lot of the things that have been said are not the truth,” Mrs. Jackson said, adding about her son, “He’s not here to speak for himself.”

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 4h
Katherine Jackson said it was her first time she's testified in front of a jury, and the case has been difficult on her.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 4h
Panish asked Katherine if she was a private person. She said yes. “I leave the spotlight for my children,” Mrs. Jackson said.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 4h
Defense attorney Marvin S. Putnan is doing the questioning for the concert promoter. I'll get some limited updates out shortly.
(Corrected)

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 5h
Plaintiff's attorney Marvin S. Putnan is doing the questioning for the concert promoter.
I'll get some limited updates out shortly.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 5h
We're on the lunch break in Jackson vs AEG Live.
Plaintiff's attorney Brian Panish finished his initial question, AEG has taken over.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 6h
Mrs. Jackson explained that when MJ named his son Prince, it wasn’t a King of Pop reference. It was a family name.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 6h
Katherine Jackson She was born in Alabama. Her father’s name was Prince and she described his singing talents.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 6h
So far, much of Mrs. Jackson's testimony has been biography. She has mentioned how hard the case has been, cited an AEG Live email once.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 6h
Plaintiff’s attorney Brian Panish did the questioning of Mrs. Jackson. He escorted her to the witness box, helped her with the microphone.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 8h
Just a note to followers, I'll post stories and updates when possible. I can't tweet or send anything out from inside the courtroom.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 8h
Katherine is sitting in her usual front seat row, with nephew Trent next to her. She’ll take the witness box once court resumes.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 8h
We’re about to go in session in Jackson vs AEG Live trial. Katherine Jackson is in court and will be testifying this morning.

by WeAreTheWorld. Fri Jul 19, 2013 10:25 pm

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 20m
Katherine Jackson will resume testifying at 9:30 a.m. PDT on Monday. I'll be back in court then.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 21m
Shortly after that, the court broke for lunch.
I've covered the afternoon session with Mrs. Jackson in earlier tweets.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 21m
Panish noted that they'd addressed the issue when Ortega was on the stand.
The judge sustained the objection.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 22m
She looked down and said she forgot whether she had been informed.
Putnam asked other questions about Ortega, and Panish objected.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 23m
Putnam asked Mrs. Jackson about suing Kenny Ortega. He asked her whether she was informed when he was dismissed from the case.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 24m
Katherine Jackson: "My son needed another doctor, not Dr. Murray."

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 25m
She added, "To listen to how sick my son was and nobody was trying to help him."

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 26m
She also mentioned that an AEG executive had called her son a "freak."
"It hurts to sit here and listen to all these things," she said.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 27m
Katherine Jackson said she closed her ears to some things said during the trial, including Gongaware's explanation of his "lazy" remark.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 28m
Putnam asked whether Mrs. Jackson said heard Gongaware's explanation that her son didn't like to rehearse.
She said no.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 29m
Putnam asked her about things that were said in the case that weren't true. She cited the Gongaware "lazy" email.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 29m
Katherine Jackson said she didn't discuss it with her grandchildren either. Or Joe Jackson, _ she told jurors he doesn't live with her.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 30m
She said she didn't consult with her children before filing the case.
Putnam: "This was your descision alone?" "Yes," Mrs. Jackson replied.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 32m
Putnam only had a few minutes, and he asked Katherine Jackson about who she consulted with before filing her lawsuit.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 32m
Panish finished his questioning of Katherine Jackson, and AEG Live defense attorney Marvin Putnam took over.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 32m
Katherine Jackson: “He’s 11 but he’s going to cut it sooner or later,” she said.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 32m
Panish showed a picture of Blanket with long hair. Mrs. Jackson said he doesn’t want to cut it because that’s the way his dad liked it.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 32m
Mrs. Jackson said Paris got a necklace that was a broken heart. She placed one piece of it in her father’s casket and kept the other half.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 33m
Panish: “It’s OK, we’re going to get through this.” Katherine Jackson said she told Paris she was “going home with grandma.”

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 33m
She said when they left to go to Hayvenhurst, Paris Jackson asked where they were going. Katherine wiped her face with a tissue.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 33m
Mrs. Jackson said she was screaming, and her son’s children were crying. They kept going to the hospital morgue to try to see their dad.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 33m
Katherine Jackson said she had to ask who he was. Frank Dileo told her. It was Dileo who later told her that her son had died.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 33m
She said she was scared because it wasn’t clear who had been taken from the house. She went to the hospital and saw Murray pacing.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 34m
She was out doing “field service” for the Jehovah’s Witnesses on the day her son died. She said Joe called her saying there was trouble.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 34m
Panish asked about Conrad Murray, who Katherine Jackson said she never knew about until after her son’s death.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 34m
She said she and her nephew Trent would watch movies with Michael Jackson in his bedroom at the Carrolwood mansion.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 34m
(AEG Live has said no one was allowed in Michael Jackson’s bedroom.)
“Every time I went there, I went into his bedroom,” she said.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 35m
Panish asked whether Katherine Jackson ever visited the Carrolwood Drive mansion. She said yes, and she went into his bedroom.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 35m
She said she called AEG Live CEO Randy Phillips and Tohme Tohme and told them he couldn’t do the shows the way they had them scheduled.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 35m
Katherine Jackson: “He couldn’t do every other night like AEG wanted him to do at first.”

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 35m
It was then that Panish asked Mrs. Jackson about whether her son could perform the 50 scheduled “This Is It” shows.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 35m
She said she thought it was funny, but it was just a joke. She said 50 isn’t that old, and you necessarily don’t feel old at 50.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 35m
He moved on, asking her about a deposition clip that was played in which she described her son saying he didn’t want to be on stage at 50.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 36m
Katherine Jackson looked pained as she described her son as humble.
Panish asked if she was OK. She said yes.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 36m
Panish then asked Mrs. Jackson about losing her son and she started to break down. “That’s the worst thing that can happen to a person.”

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 36m
“He gave me everything,” she said. Panish asked about gifts. Cars, jewelry and a mobile home were mentioned as MJ's gifts to his mom.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 36m
He then asked whether she was financially dependent on her son. “Michael took care of me, my every need, my every want,” she said.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 36m
Panish then read a poem that Michael Jackson wrote for his mother. She said it made her cry when she first received it.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 37m
She said she didn’t notice that her son was especially thin, but added that he was wearing a jacket at the party.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 37m
It wasn’t actually their anniversary, she said. “I think Janet just named it that so we could have a party,” she said.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 38m
Panish asked Mrs. Jackson about seeing her son at a party in May 2009. It was billed as a 60th anniversary party for her and Joe Jackson.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 38m
She mentioned speaking to him again about it when he was living in Las Vegas. “He promised, he kept saying, ‘I’m OK,’” Mrs. Jackson said.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 38m
“When we went out there, Michael was fine,” Katherine Jackson said. She said she could never prove that he had a problem.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 38m
She said she went to his house one time because her children were pushing for an intervention. She didn’t want to go, she said.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 38m
Mrs. Jackson said she knew he was taking pain pills. She said she dropped in on him unannounced and never saw any signs of misuse.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 38m
Panish asked whether she ever saw her son abuse medications. She said she didn’t, but she heard about it from her other children.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 39m
She said her son trusted his doctors and mentioned Dr. Allan Metzger was one of his primary care physicians.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 39m
She mentioned that Michael Jackson’s scalp had been burned, he had back pain. She also mentioned his Vitiligo.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 40m
The questioning then turned to darker issues, with Panish asking Mrs. Jackson about her son’s pain and medical conditions.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 40m
Mrs. Jackson said her grandchildren loved Neverland. Strangers didn’t believe them when they said they had giraffes and elephants as pets.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 40m
The Neverland video also showed the train station, which Michael Jackson named Katherine in honor of his mother.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 41m
It also featured the candy stand. Mrs. Jackson said that her son finally had his candy stand, an allusion to his childhood game.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 41m
After this, Panish showed a clip of Neverland Ranch, complete with music that played at the property. The video showed the rides, zoo.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 41m
Panish: “Did he get the door slammed in his face?”
Katherine Jackson: “Lots of times. They never knew who it was.”

by WeAreTheWorld. Mon Jul 22, 2013 11:27 pm

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 7h
Putnam asked about Prince Jackson’s testimony that he’d given Murray money that his father handed him. Putnam called it “stacks of hundreds”

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 7h
She said she knew her son had doctors for his children. She said she didn’t know if that was Murray or not.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 7h
Putnam then asked Mrs. Jackson whether she believed her son hired Conrad Murray. She said she didn’t think he hired the doctor.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 7h
Katherine Jackson had her head down during some of the questions.
“Even though he asked for it, he could have said no,” she said of Murray.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 7h
She said she remembered hearing about him asking for the drug, but she didn’t recall testimony about him discussing it with other doctors.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 7h
The lawyer asked about what Mrs. Jackson recalled hearing during the criminal trial about her son’s use of propofol.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 7h
Putnam asked about Murray’s criminal case, and whether Mrs. Jackson helped the prosecutor, David Walgren.
She said she didn’t remember.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 7h
(She responded to the second question after an objection from Panish, which the judge overruled.)

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 7h
Putnam asked Mrs. Jackson if she agreed that she never believed her son was responsible for his death. “Correct,” she replied.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 7h
That’s when Putnam asked Mrs. Jackson whether she thought her son bore any responsibility for his death. “No, I don’t,” she replied.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 7h
When they returned, Putnam asked about Mrs. Jackson whether she’d heard about various claims of damages. She said yes.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 7h
Panish objected and said it was improper to ask Katherine Jackson about the estimates. The attorneys went into a sidebar with the judge.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 7h
“You can talk to my lawyer about that,” Katherine Jackson said of the damages estimates. Putnam cited figure of $1.5-$1.7 billion.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 7h
Putnam then asked Mrs. Jackson about the amount of damages she was seeking from AEG Live.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 7h
Katherine Jackson said she never discussed it with her son because she knew he wasn’t broke.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 7h
Putnam again asked about the stories she’d heard. “I’d heard for years that Michael Jackson was broke, and he wasn’t,” she said.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 7h
She said through the years, she heard about people taking money from her son. “Stealing, I should say.”

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 7h
Katherine Jackson said she was aware of people trying to make deals on her son’s behalf. She said her son would sometimes tell her about it.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 7h
At one point, Mrs. Jackson told Puntam, “I think I answered that.” Judge allowed multiple questions about what she knew of MJ’s finances.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 7h
Putnam asked several more questions about what Katherine Jackson knew about her son Michael’s financial situation. There were objections.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 7h
I hope to have some additional tweets out soon. I need to power up my computer for the afternoon session.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 7h
Story link I just tweeted covers several pieces of Mrs. Jackson's testimony this morning, including comments on Murray, prescription meds.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 7h
Katherine Jackson: "They’ve been saying for years, last 15 years that Michael Jackson is broke."
She said she knew that wasn't true.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 8h
Putnam asked Mrs. Jackson whether she was aware of her son’s financial difficulties before his death. She said yes.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 8h
Katherine Jackson: “My son took care of me. He paid for everything. Food. Shelter. Clothing.”

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 8h
Putnam asked about Mrs. Jackson’s assistant, Janice Smith, questioning whether she logged payments from MJ. Answer was no.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 8h
Mrs. Jackson said her son paid for most of her expenses directly. He gave her cash, but she didn’t keep records of it.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 8h
Katherine Jackson’s attorney Brian Panish objected to the questions, but the judge allowed them. Panish said Mrs. Jackson doesn’t use email.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 8h
Putnam asked whether Katherine Jackson turned over emails or records of her son’s payments to her.
She said no.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 8h
He’d barely started on the discovery questions on Friday, so he picked up there today, asking Mrs. Jackson about her records.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 8h
Putnam asked two lines of questions _ about how she came to file the lawsuit and what documents she turned over in discovery.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 8h
Putnam started out his questioning by asking Mrs. Jackson if she remembered his some of his questions from last week.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 8h
Court got started about 25 minutes late due to a late juror. AEG Live defense attorney Marvin S. Putnam is doing the questioning today.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 8h
We're on the lunch break in Jackson vs AEG Live. I'll have a story out shortly, some updates from the morning session.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 10h
Katherine Jackson is already in the witness box, will resume testifying in a few minutes. She will be cross-examined by AEG Live.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 10h
Jackson vs. AEG Live trial start is going to be delayed by about 15 minutes this morning due to late juror.

by WeAreTheWorld. Mon Jul 22, 2013 11:31 pm

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2h
After the lunch break, Putnam asked about an implant that Michael Jackson apparently had to keep any addiction to Demerol in check.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2h
Around this point, the court broke for lunch.
It'll take me a bit to go through notes from the afternoon session.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2h
Putnam asked if Mrs. Jackson shut out hearing bad news about her son ending the Dangerous tour. She said she didn't remember how it ended.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2h
“I probably said it, but I don’t remember saying it,” Mrs. Jackson said, adding, “I don’t like to hear bad news.”

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2h
Putnam: “Mrs. Jackson on Friday, you mentioned that you shut your ears to bad things. Do you remember saying that?”

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2h
She said she hadn’t heard about it or seen it before it was played in court.
She said she didn’t watch much television.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2h
Putnam asked Mrs. Jackson if she was aware of her son’s statement at the end of the “Dangerous” tour indicating a prescription drug problem.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2h
Putnam was able to show Mrs. Jackson her son Randy’s deposition after saying he would call him as a witness later. Depo wasn’t shown to jury

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2h
Putnam at one point brought up Randy Jackson’s deposition and asked Mrs. Jackson if she had read any of her children’s depos. She said no.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2h
(I had to step out to file, so my notes are a bit incomplete on the letter.)

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2h
The letter was regarding reports about her son’s prescription drug use. I believe it was from 2007.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2h
Putnam asked Mrs. Jackson several questions about a letter she and other Jackson family members signed regarding an intervention.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2h
Mrs. Jackson said she recalled Putnam “asking me the same question about 50 times and rephrasing them differently.”

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2h
“I was just tired of you,” Katherine Jackson said of Putnam.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2h
Today, Katherine Jackson said she didn’t recall whether he said that phrase or not. “I wasn’t trying to lie,” she said. (cont)

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2h
Putnam asked about Katherine Jackson’s deposition, when she recalled her son saying, “’I’m not on it.’”

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2h
She said he was upset that his family came for an intervention, but there wasn't any “deep discussion” about it.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2h
“When we got there, there was nothing wrong with him,” Mrs. Jackson said.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2h
Mrs. Jackson was asked about the 2002 intervention attempt at Neverland Ranch. Mrs. Jackson said her son was fine.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2h
“I knew he was taking it. I didn’t think he was abusing it,” Katherine Jackson said about her son Michael's prescription drug use.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2h
Putnam asked if there was ever a time she believed her son was abusing prescription meds. “No,” she said.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2h
“You keep asking the same questions and I’ve answered it,” Mrs. Jackson said.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2h
There were more questions about Michael Jackson’s prescription drug use. Putnam said he was trying to understand the testimony.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2h
“He’s still my child,” she replied. She added, “He’d still want me to hold his respect.”

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2h
“He respects his mother, he don’t want her to think that he’s doing something that bad,” Mrs. Jackson said.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2h
She likened her son’s denial to a young child who went out and disobeyed his mother and then denied it. “I’m sure you understand,” she said.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2h
After a few more questions, Mrs. Jackson told Putnam she didn’t have to either “drill me” or “grill me” like this.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2h
“To me, it doesn’t make sense,” Katherine Jackson said. “I didn’t know he was going to deny it. But he did it.”

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2h
Putnam: “If you knew your son was going to deny it, why did you ask him?”
Mrs. Jackson: “I’m not answering that question.”
Putnam: “Why?”

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2h
Putnam continued to ask a series of questions about Jackson’s prescription drug use and his denials.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2h
Some additional updates from Katherine Jackson’s testimony coming up. This next series will take us up to the lunch break.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 4h
We're done for the day in Jackson vs AEG Live. AEG exec John Meglen returns to the stand tomorrow at 9:45 am.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 4h
I've got to head back into court. Just posted my updated story. Will have additional updates at the end of the day.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 4h
Katherine Jackson: “I’m a mother, quite naturally he denied it. He wouldn't want me to think that.”

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 4h
She said she asked him about his prescription medication use. Mrs. Jackson said her son denied he had a problem.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 4h
Katherine Jackson said she and her son stepped into a theater at the home that was near the front door and talked about it.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 4h
Putnam then asked about Mrs. Jackson’s conversation with her son in Las Vegas regarding his prescription drug use.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 4h
Mrs. Jackson mentioned that her other children told her they believed Michael Jackson had a problem with prescription meds.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 4h
The lawyer then asked whether Mrs. Jackson ever saw her son when she thought he was under the influence of any drug. She said no.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 4h
Putnam questioned whether the decision was made in consideration of the civil case. Mrs. Jackson said no. “I never gave it a thought.”

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 4h
Mrs. Jackson said, “I felt that his children needed it.”
She mentioned she knew Murray had 7 or 8 children.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 4h
Going back to updates from the morning session. Putnam asked Mrs. Jackson about dropping the $100 million restitution claim against Murray.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 5h
AEG Live executive John Meglen is the next witness. He's a defense witness and started testifying after Katherine Jackson finished.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 5h
After Mrs. Jackson finished testifying, plaintiff's attorney Brian Panish and a baliff helped her step down.
She has left for the day.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 5h
I'll have an updated story out shortly. Trial is on a short break right now.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 7h
(cont) ... that she received from conversations with her attorneys.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 7h
Putnam was allowed to question her about her knowledge of Murray’s doctor visits, as long as Mrs. Jackson didn’t relay any info ...(cont)

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 7h
Katherine Jackson’s brow was furrowed through this questioning. Panish objected, saying Putnam was trying to get into attorney-client issues

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 7h
She said she didn’t know anything about her son’s doctors. Putnam asked if she discussed with her grandchildren, and she said no.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 7h
Putnam asked Mrs. Jackson whether she knew that Conrad Murray was staying at her son’s mansion 6 nights a week in 2009.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 7h
We’ll see if the interview gets played after the lunch break. Panish said he didn't review it on the brief morning break.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 7h
Putnam indicated the Dateline interview was done 8 weeks before Katherine Jackson filed her lawsuit in September 2010.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 7h
“At the time I hadn’t heard it,” Katherine Jackson said. “I thought that maybe Michael had hired him. I said it not knowing the facts.”

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 7h
Katherine Jackson said he now understood that AEG Live had hired Murray, but she hadn’t heard that before.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 7h
Judge told Putnam to hold off on playing the Dateline interview for the jury until it could be reviewed.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 7h
Putnam wants to play the Dateline interview, but Panish objected, saying he hadn’t seen it.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 7h
Katherine Jackson: “I may have said it once and you’ll probably bring that up.” (Her statement was during a Dateline interview.)

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 7h
Putnam then asked her about an instance in which Mrs. Jackson said she thought her son Michael hired Conrad Murray.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 7h
Putnam asked Mrs. Jackson whether she knew about the payments to Murray before the trial. She said no.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 7h
Katherine Jackson corrected him, saying it wasn’t stacks. She said the money was because her son felt bad for the doctor.

by WeAreTheWorld. Mon Jul 22, 2013 11:36 pm

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2h
Meglen will be back on the stand tomorrow. I’ll address his testimony regarding the “This Is It” tour then.
Have a good night everyone.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2h
AEG exec John Meglen took the stand. His testimony focused on his experience, brief interaction with MJ before the “This Is It” tour.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2h
With that, Katherine Jackson’s testimony ended. Panish and a bailiff helped her down from the witness box and she left for the day.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2h
Panish came back up one more time and asked whether Katherine Jackson expected the CEO of AEG Live to know who hired Murray.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2h
Katherine Jackson said she was wrong in her interview, that she assumed her son had hired Conrad Murray.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2h
Putnam said based on the clips showed in the Dateline interview and Phillips’ Sky News interview, someone was wrong about who hired Murray.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2h
Mrs. Jackson said she could have asked them, but didn’t bring it up with them. She also said she didn’t discuss it with Kai Chase.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2h
Putnam asked about why Katherine Jackson didn’t bring up what happened in the Carrolwood house with her grandchildren.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2h
Phillips said in the interview that that Dr. Murray was hired by AEG at the request of Michael Jackson.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2h
Panish played the clip of Randy Phillips in which he was interviewed by Sky News a few days after Michael Jackson’s death.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2h
Panish took over again and asked Mrs. Jackson whether she received condolence cards from strangers. She said she got 1000s of them.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2h
She said she was told that if it was held at the Staples Center, the family wouldn't have to pay for it.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2h
Putnam asked about the Staples Center memorial service. Mrs. Jackson said she wanted to hold it at the LA Coliseum, which is much bigger.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2h
“No, but that shouldn’t have stopped him from saying, ‘I’m sorry for what happened to your son,’” she said.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2h
He then asked Mrs. Jackson if she had ever met Paul Gongaware. She said she hadn't.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2h
Putnam then took over questioning again. He showed the clip from the Dateline show that was discussed before lunch.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2h
Mrs. Jackson was asked about the $100 million restitution figure. She said she didn't set the amount, but told the DA not to pursue it.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2h
Panish asked if she’d ever seen her son look like that. “Never,” Katherine Jackson replied. (She’d never seen the photo before the trial.)

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2h
Panish showed Mrs. Jackson the picture of her son taken on June 19th in which he looks extremely thin. She looked away at first.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2h
She said if the family had known, Joe Jackson would have stepped in. “They watched him waste away,” she said of AEG’s execs.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2h
After Panish asked about an email in which an AEG corporate lawyer called her son a freak, Mrs. Jackson was crying.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2h
“They could have called me,” Mrs. Jackson said. “He was asking me for his father. My grandson told me that his daddy was nervous and scared”

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2h
“I learned it here in court,” Mrs. Jackson said of the emails, other details about her son’s health.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2h
In response several of Panish’s questions, she said she didn't know her son was losing weight or tour workers thought he was deteriorating.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2h
... to express their condolences. They never sent a card.
Mrs. Jackson said Kenny Ortega did come to see her after her son’s death.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2h
Panish asked about testimony that AEG Live execs Randy Phillips and Paul Gongaware loved her son. She said they never called her ...

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2h
He asked her about emails that had been displayed in court, ones Panish said she never would have seen if not for the lawsuit.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2h
The lawyer asked who she hired to find out the truth about her son’s death.
Mrs. Jackson said she hired Panish’s firm.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2h
He also asked Katherine Jackson if she was a lawyer or a private investigator. The answers were no, obviously.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2h
Panish asked whether Mrs. Jackson used email or a computer. She said she was computer illiterate.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2h
Putnam ended his questioning, and Panish took over. He asked about Michael’s support. Mrs. Jackson said he was paying for her necessities.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2h
This money was coming in for several years before Michael Jackson’s death, but Mrs. Jackson said she eventually told her daughter to stop.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2h
Putnam then asked about financial support Janet Jackson was providing her mom. She was giving $10k a month to support her mother.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2h
Katherine Jackson said she never relayed any concerns about her son’s prescription drug use to anyone at AEG Live.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2h
Putnam asked about the letter her son signed regarding Dileo. She said he told her he was only back in her son’s life for the tour.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2h
“They keep hiring all these people that Michael had fired. That’s what bothered me,” Katherine Jackson said.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2h
Katherine Jackson said she occasionally talked to Jackson’s managers, including Frank Dileo. She wasn’t thrilled when Dileo came back.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2h
Katherine Jackson said she never discussed any concerns about her son's medication use with his lawyers or managers.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2h
Putnam asked whether during her son’s criminal trial whether she ever thought her son was on medications. She said no.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2h
In court, Katherine Jackson clarified. “I kind of believed him and I didn't believe him. I didn't know what to believe,” she said.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2h
Oprah asked Mrs. Jackson about her conversation with her son and asked if she believed his denials. She told Oprah she didn't believe him.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2h
(cont) ... before she heard he was addicted to them. She also discussed an intervention attempt by her children.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2h
In the clip, she said she was aware her son was taking prescription meds after his Pepsi commercial accident, but it was a long time (cont)

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2h
Putnam asked Mrs. Jackson about a Nov. 2010 interview with Oprah Winfrey. After a few questions, Putnam played the clip.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2h
Katherine Jackson said she didn't recall the doctor and didn't remember seeing the implant. She said she would have remembered seeing it.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2h
Putnam asked Mrs. Jackson if she ever saw the implant or talked to the doctor who put it in her son. Mrs. Jackson said she didn’t remember.

by **Admin** Tue Jul 23, 2013 6:03 pm

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2h North America was not an option, Meglen said, due to Jackson’s reputation here and controversies he'd had here.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2h He said ultimately the economics of having Jackson do his shows in Asia didn’t work out. They couldn’t get a high enough ticket price there.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2h Meglen said Japan is still the stronger concert market. “You can generate a lot more revenue in Japan than in China,” he said.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2h He said AEG considered putting Jackson’s shows in Asia, possibly Shanghai or Tokyo. He noted Asia was a historically strong market for MJ.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2h Meglen said London was the venue AEG Live considered most because it’s considered “the biggest concert market in the world.”

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2h Defense attorney Jessica Stebbins Bina is doing the questioning of Meglen. She asked him this morning about initial plans for “TII” shows.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2h A few more updates coming from the morning session in Jackson vs. AEG Live.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 4h Gotta get back into court. A few more updates coming at the break.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 4h AEG Live’s attorneys want Meglen’s testimony to demonstrate that calculations by plaintiff’s damages expert Arthur Erk are off.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 4h Meglen said he never met Conrad Murray or reviewed the doctor’s draft contract.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 4h He said he attended one rehearsal and didn’t meet with Michael Jackson often. He was in an initial project discussion meeting in early 2007.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 4h Meglen wasn’t working on the tour day-to-day. He was handling other AEG Live shows while other execs were working on the “This Is It” shows.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 4h Meglen worked somewhat on the “This Is It” tour early on, looking at budgets and projections and doing some initial planning.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 4h AEG Live executive John Meglen is back on the stand. He’s been testifying a lot about his experience in the concert promotion business.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 4h There’s a noticeably smaller group in the courtroom. Less attorneys for the plaintiff’s are here, less media too.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 4h We’re back in session in Jackson vs. AEG Live case. Katherine Jackson is not present today. A few updates coming while court is in a sidebar

by **Admin** Tue Jul 23, 2013 11:59 pm

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2h Sounds like Meglen may finish testifying tomorrow.
I’ll be back in court tomorrow. Have a good night everyone.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2h Jury will return at 10 a.m. PDT tomorrow. Attorneys will come in a bit earlier to argue any issues they have.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2h Panish had a few more questions for Meglen before court adjourned for the day. The lawyer says he has another hour of questions or so.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2h Meglen said Anshutz told him, “'I think it’s going fine. We have not presented our case yet.’” Meglen said they didn’t discuss it further.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2h He said he did ask Philip Anshutz how he thought the case was going when they saw each other recently.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2h Meglen said the executives had discussed the case, but they were told not to discuss their respective testimony.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2h Panish asked whether Meglen had ever discussed trial testimony with Phillips or Gongaware. He said no.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2h Meglen said Phillips and Gongaware would know, but said he knew the company didn’t hire doctors.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2h Panish asked who would be in a better position to know AEG’s actions on Jackson’s shows, Meglen or Randy Phillips.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2h Meglen: “We do not hire doctors. We could advance on behalf of an artist.”

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2h Dion’s company would be paid a certain amount to operate her show each week, Meglen said, and her doc would be paid from that.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2h Meglen said Dion’s doctor was listed in an early budget for her shows, but he was only listed as someone paid out of her expense stipend.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2h Panish asked whether AEG Live directly paid the doctors for the Stones and Dion. Meglen said not, the artists paid them.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2h He said outside of Jackson’s tour, a discussion of an artist’s doctor had probably never happened in the executives’’ meetings.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2h The executive said it’s uncommon that any artist’s doctor are discussed in the AEG Live executive meetings.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2h Meglen said Gongaware told the group that Jackson told him to offer Murray $150k a month, and the doctor accepted that.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2h ... how many meetings that included a discussion of Murray’s fee, or if he commented on it. He said it may have come up in just one meeting.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2h Meglen said Gongaware reported the doctor’s request. After several questions about who was there, Meglen said he didn’t remember (cont)

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2h He said the company doesn’t hire doctors. He said the issue of Murray asking for $5 million came up in a meeting of AEG Live executives.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2h The executive re-iterated he wasn’t familiar with Murray’s contract, and hadn’t read Michael Jackson’s contract in detail.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2h Meglen said it’s usually the producer’s responsibility to negotiate with doctors, physical therapists, but terms are set by the artist.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2h Panish asked about the Rolling Stones’ doctor. He gave the same answers -- that AEG didn’t hired or negotiate with the Stones’ doctor.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2h Meglen said Dion’s company pays her doctor. He said AEG didn’t negotiate the deal and can’t tell the doctor what’s expected of him.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2h Panish then starting asking questions about other artists who have doctors who work on tours. He asked if AEG pays Celine Dion’s doctor.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2h Meglen said he wasn’t copied on the email and could only speculate on what Gongaware meant.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2h Gongaware email: “We want to remind him that it is AEG, not MJ who is paying his salary. We want him to understand what is expected of him.”

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2h Panish asked Meglen several questions about a June 2009 email that Paul Gongaware sent regarding Conrad Murray.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2h Meglen said he’d probably been called creepy, and said it might have been said about Panish.
“No one would say it to my face,” he replied.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2h After several more questions, Meglen said it wouldn’t be appropriate to call an artist a freak. He said calling someone creepy was different

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2h Meglen said it depended on the situation and it wouldn’t be appropriate to do it in public. He said it wasn't a simple yes or no answer.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2h Panish asked if it was appropriate to call an artist a “freak” or a meeting with an artist “creepy” as AEG corporate lawyers did in emails.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2h “I think we’re animals by doing that,” Meglen said.
Panish asked whether the exec respected artists.
“Very much,” he replied.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2h Meglen said he wasn’t referring to artists, he was referring to the people who prep and tear down shows and are on the road all the time.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2h Panish moved on after a few questions and then asked about a comment Meglen made yesterday that he works with “animals.”

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2h When prodded, Meglen said $1 million a year seemed like a lot to him. He added he wasn’t paid that amount.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2h The lawyer asked if Meglen was paid a lot. The executive said he didn't know how to answer that question.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2h Judge sustained the objection and Panish asked it a different way.
Meglen said he was paid “sufficiently.”

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2h Panish said Meglen’s salary was relevant because it went to bias. Stebbins Bina said it was an invasion of privacy.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2h Panish then asked Meglen about his contract and how much he got paid. Stebbins Bina objected, saying it was irrelevant to the trial.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2h Meglen had been working on the Stones’ recent tour, started trial testimony preparation when he got back last week.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2h Panish asked Meglen how much time he spent preparing to testify. The exec said portions of five days.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2h The executive said one of the only shows AEG Live has ever produced that had more than 60k concertgoers was at Ohio State University.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2h Meglen said that’s what Billboard reported, but he said he hung out before that show and was told by the band’s rep that it hadn’t sold out.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2h Panish showed Meglen a Billboard magazine story that reported U2 packed in 97,000 people for a concert there.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2h Panish then attacked AEG’s slide on the Rose Bowl attendance figures. The slide said concert capacity was about 60,000 people.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2h Meglen had also told the jury that he wasn’t familiar with the promotion of Dion’s Asian or European tour dates.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2h “That’s what it says,” Meglen said of the printout. The executive told the jury he didn’t promote the Stade de France shows.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2h Panish showed Meglen a printout from Dion’s website, stating she sold 90k tickets each night for two shows in June 1999.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2h Meglen said he believed the stadium could host 60,000 to 70,000 concertgoers for a show. Panish cited figures for two Dion shows in 1999.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2h Panish asked about a Celine Dion show performed at the Stade de France outside of Paris. The listed max capacity is around 80k.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2h “I’ve kind of learned to believe that they’re not totally accurate,” Meglen said of the figures.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2h Panish then asked Meglen about concert attendance figures cited in Billboard magazine. Meglen said he uses them, but just as an outline.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2h Meglen named the Rolling Stones and Led Zeppelin as bigger acts, explaining he’s “a rocker.”

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2h Panish asked Meglen to name bigger artists than Jackson. Meglen said Jackson was big in the pop world, but cited 2 rock acts as bigger.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2h The lawyer asked about Meglen’s characterization of Jackson’s “This Is It” ticket sales and whether he agreed with his boss’ opinion.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2h Panish started cross-examination by asking Meglen whether Gongaware and AEG Live CEO Randy Phillips were truthful. Meglen said yes.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2h Updates from the rest of proceedings in the Jackson vs AEG Live case coming up.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 3h Stebbins Bina concluded her questioning about half an hour after the lunch break ended. Panish took over on cross-examination.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 3h Meglen was asked about the value of Citibank’s sponsorship of the Rolling Stones’ recent tour. Meglen said deal was worth $2.5 million.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 3h The judge admonished plaintiff’s attorney Brian Panish, who was apparently shaking his head and “making faces.” Judge called it unnecessary.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 3h Meglen was asked about artists’ endorsement deals. He cited a couple, saying Budweiser sponsored the Stones’ Voodoo Lounge tour.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 3h Meglen said AEG Live has sold comparable numbers of tickets for other shows in one day, but said the demand was “substantial.”

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 3h There were a lot of Bruce Springsteen tours on the list, but Meglen said The Boss doesn’t sell his shows to one promoter.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 3h He also worked two shows on Jackson’s HIStory tour (#26) and several Bon Jovi tours (#20, 28, 30 & 35) and a Britney Spears tour (#34)

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 3h He cited 12 tours he worked on at least partially, including the Rolling Stones (# Cool

, Celine Dion (#11), Pink Floyd (#13)

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 3h After the lunch break, Meglen was asked to identify which of the top 50 grossing concert tours he’d worked on.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 3h He also said you wouldn’t transfer an arena show to a stadium due to size differences. They require totally different productions.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 3h The Rose Bowl show cited was on the Rolling Stones’ Voodoo Lounge tour, which Meglen worked on.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 3h Stebbins Bina showed a slide for Pasadena’s Rose Bowl. Erk estimated 92k people could see a concert; AEG fit about 60k for Stones show.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 3h “It’s just a lot more expensive to do stadiums than arenas,” AEG executive John Meglen said.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 3h Meglen said the same was true for stadium concerts. The larger venue required bigger stages, more lights and lower capacities.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 3h The Staples Center may pack in 18,000 people for a Lakers game, but for a concert its capacity is 12,646 people, according to an AEG exhibit

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 3h For instance, the Tampa Bay Times Forum in Tampa has a concert capacity of 11,387. Hockey capacity is about 20,000 people.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 3h The point was to show that while plaintiff’s expert Arthur Erk projected sellout figures for maximum capacity, concert capacities were lower

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 3h Stebbins Bina spent a while walking Meglen through various venues where AEG Live handles concerts.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 3h The idea wasn’t accepted because Michael Jackson’s estate was already planning a Cirque du Soleil-style show, Meglen said.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 3h Meglen said AEG Live never proposed a residency for Michael Jackson. They did propose a show based on his music to his estate.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 3h He said 2 ½ shows a week _ the pace of MJ’s London shows _ is too low to be profitable for a residency.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 3h 48 shows a year is an ideal residency, Meglen said. They typically last 2 to 5 years. (Celine Dion in Vegas is an example of a residency.)

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 3h Residencies involve an artist playing one venue, doing four or five shows a week for one stretch of time.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 3h Meglen discussed what tour residencies are. He went through the threshold for how they can be profitable.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 3h He said Celine Dion’s brother speaks to her throughout the show.
“He is reciting words to her before she sings them,” Meglen said.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 3h Meglen said teleprompters are a common sight on concert tours. He didn't want to name artists who use them.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 3h Rehearsals are more for the backup dancers, musicians and other workers who work on a concert understand the show , Meglen said.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 3h Meglen said artists never rehearse as much as people on a tour want them to. He said artists generally know what they’re going to do.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 3h Stebbins Bina asked whether Meglen had ever seen a contract that required an artist to rehearse. He said no.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 3h He said it wasn’t an unusual or worrisome occurrence. Artists sometimes bring along physical therapists, yoga instructors, chefs, he said.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 3h Meglen was asked about other artists who have doctors travel with them. He cited the Rolling Stones, Celine Dion and John Denver.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 3h Panish objected to Meglen’s characterization of Gongaware and Jackson’s relationship. The judge overruled the objection.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 3h The lawyer asked Meglen about Gongaware’s use of “Mikey.”
“Paul called Michael Jackson Mikey,” Meglen said.
He called them close.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 3h Instead, Stebbins Bina asked about a statement AEG Live executive Paul Gongaware wrote in the email: “Net to Mikey $132 million.”

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 3h This email first came up during Arthur Erk’s testimony last week. Stebbins Bina didn’t ask about the attached budget.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 3h Meglen was shown an AEG Live email that included the worldwide tour projection for Michael Jackson to earn $132 million.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 3h Stebbins Bina asked about the number of shows that AEG had approved for the Jackson shows. Meglen said only the London shows were approved.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 3h Panish repeatedly objected to some of Meglen’s testimony, saying he was testifying as an expert. Judge overruled the objections.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 3h Updates coming on Jackson vs. AEG Live case. Starting out where I left off from the morning session ...

by **Admin** Wed Jul 24, 2013 6:26 pm

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 5m John Meglen just wrapped up his testimony in the Jackson vs AEG Live case.
AEG plans to play video testimony for the rest of the day.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2h I’ll try to find out later today what was said in the sidebar.
Will be back in court when they resume in 30 mins. Will update later.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2h Meglen and Panish went back-and-forth about it for a few questions, then the judge called a sidebar. They were in chambers for several mins.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2h Panish asked some questions about how many tickets people could buy for the “This Is It” shows. Meglen said he didn’t know.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2h He said Phillips may have believed that was true, but he didn't believe Jackson could have done 200 shows in London.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2h Asked if Phillips’ statement in the email was a false one, Meglen said yes. He added that no one in the business has a “crystal ball.”

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2h Meglen said he didn’t agree and that he didn’t believe that Jackson could have done 200 shows in London.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2h He next asked Meglen about Phillips’ contention in an email that Jackson could have sold out 200 shows in London.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2h Panish conceded the billions of people in Mumbai remark wasn't right and moved on to other topics.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2h Panish at one point said that there were billions of people in Mumbai alone, prompting several attorneys and the judge to chime in.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2h “It’s not a very big market, that I do know,” Meglen said of the India concert scene. A dispute over India’s population ensued.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2h Panish then rattled off several acts who peformed in India: Beyonce, Akon, Shakira, 50 Cent. Meglen didn’t dispute they performed there.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2h The lawyer pointed to several shows planned for India and his contention that big artists didn’t perform in India.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2h Panish went through the list, showing that AEG had plotted out potential shows in Europe, South Africa and other locations.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2h After a brief break, Panish showed Meglen the AEG projections for a worldwide tour for Jackson that were displayed last week.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2h Meglen didn’t review the actual contracts for the “This Is It” shows, but said he had input on ticket prices, other issues.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2h It took a long time and several questions to establish that Meglen was briefed about negotiations during meetings with other AEG Live execs.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2h Panish then asked whether Meglen was personally involved in the negotiations. He said he wasn’t at the negotiating table.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2h Meglen didn’t remember the time frame, so Panish played his deposition in which he said the negotiations started in Fall of 2008.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2h Meglen and Panish went back-and-forth for several minutes over when AEG’s negotiations began with Jackson in 2008.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2h He said he doesn’t believe that Phillips’ statement is true, but it was a personal opinion.
“To me, she’s bigger,” Meglen said.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2h Meglen works directly with Dion and her tours in North America. It took him a few tries before he answered the question.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2h The lawyer then asked Meglen whether he agreed with AEG Live CEO that Michael Jackson was bigger than Celine Dion.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2h Panish asked Meglen a bit about the AEG corporate structure. Meglen reports to the CEO of AEG Inc., he said.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2h Panish asked whether Meglen was denying that Jackson had “huge ticket drawing power.” Meglen responded, “Not at all.”

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2h Meglen: “Paul and I have worked on different projects in our lives.” He said he couldn't give the lawyer a simple yes or no answer.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2h Panish wanted to know why Meglen didn't agree with Gongaware's characterization of the "This Is It" ticket sales.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2h The lawyer asked about Paul Gongaware’s contention that he had never seen anything like the “This Is It” ticket demand.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2h Panish's questioning focused on AEG execs Paul Gongaware and Randy Phillips saying there was no one bigger than Jackson.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2h Panish again asked Meglen about his contention from yesterday that there were bigger stars than Michael Jackson.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2h Meglen conceded that you could probably fit 97k people in the Rose Bowl with the right stage, but they might not have all bought tickets.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2h He said Michael Jackson’s stage for the “This Is It” show was different, an “end stage” setup that wouldn't allow as many concertgoers.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2h Meglen pointed out that the U2 show had a 360-degree stage that allowed them to sell tickets throughout the entire Rose Bowl.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2h Panish showed Meglen a photo from the U2 show. Fans were packed in the stands and hundreds were on the field.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2h He said he doesn’t believe the 97k figure was for paid attendance, which is what matters to him and what he was referring to.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2h The executive said he didn’t have evidence to dispute the 97k attendance figure, but made clear he doesn’t believe it.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2h Meglen said yesterday he didn’t believe the figure as it was reported by Billboard magazine. Panish asked him for any evidence to dispute it

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2h Panish asked Meglen about his testimony yesterday on the reported 97k attendance figure for a U2 concert at the Rose Bowl.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2h The session actually ended when the judge called a sidebar right before the lunch break. Updates on testimony coming up now...

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2h There were lots of objections. The judge also had to tell Meglen to give yes or no answers, and told Panish not to argue with the witness.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2h There were some testy exchanges between Meglen and Panish. The lawyer went back over a lot of Meglen’s testimony from yesterday

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2h AEG Live executive John Meglen is back on the stand. He’s being cross examined by plaintiff’s lawyer Brian Panish.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2h We’re on the lunch break in the Jackson vs AEG Live case. Katherine Jackson and her nephew Trent are back in court today.

by **Admin** Wed Jul 24, 2013 10:23 pm

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 1h Updated story on Jackson vs AEG Live trial, with details from Dr. Farschcian's testimony: [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 25m Friday, Monday and Tuesday are scheduled to be half-day trial sessions.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 26m ... and jury will also hear testimony from David Fournier.
Thursday will be the last full day of trial for a few days.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 26m My story will have a bit on what Farshchian said, so will post a link when it's out.
Tomorrow's witnesses will be Dr. Scott Saunders & ...

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 29m Jury heard the videotaped testimony of Miami-based doctor Alimorad Farshchian, who testified about treatments on Jackson in 2002.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 30m Not going to get a lot of updates out from Jackson vs AEG Live afternoon testimony today, but will have an updated story soon.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 34m Superior Court Judge Yvette Palazuelos will determine whether Mr. Wagener will be permanently blocked from the courtroom tomorrow.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 35m Jackson trial judge bans spectator after he snaps photo of jurors in a hallway: [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]
He says it was an inadvertent pic.

by **Admin** Thu Jul 25, 2013 11:25 pm

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 3h Nurse details his anesthetic treatments on Michael Jackson over 10-year span that ended in 2003: [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 3h Sorry for the lack of tweets today folks, it's been an extremely busy day and I've been trying to pitch in other stories as well.

by WeAreTheWorld. Mon Jul 29, 2013 3:36 pm

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 29 Jul
Cross examination may begin tomorrow afternoon, if Strong finishes her questioning.
Trial resumes at 1:30 p.m. PDT. I’ll be back in court.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 29 Jul
Panish said he also wants to know what other work Briggs has done for AEG Live so he can address his “bias” on cross-examination.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 29 Jul
Panish wants detailed records of the work Briggs has done on the AEG case and said the expert’s firm has been paid $600-$700k so far.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 29 Jul
Court broke for the day, and there were brief arguments by plaintiff’s attorney Brian Panish about Briggs’ billing records.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 29 Jul
Lastly, he discussed films and whether Jackson was assured of success in the film industry. His opinion was that MJ wasn’t assured success.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 29 Jul
Tribute shows only work if the artist is dead, Briggs said.
He said Erk’s projections for a tribute show were also speculative.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 29 Jul
Briggs moved on to discussions of album sales, which declined over Jackson’s career, and he attacked the premise of a Vegas tribute show.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 29 Jul
He didn’t explain who Jackson was grouped with on the survey in the 2000s, although Justin Timberlake was name as a possibility.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 29 Jul
Artists are rated against contemporaries. Briggs said in 1990, MJ was groups with MC Hammer, Billy Joel, Don Henley and Kenny Rogers.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 29 Jul
The rating means there were 7 times more people who responded unfavorably to Jackson than those who answered he was one of their favorites.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 29 Jul
By 2006, the last year Jackson’s Q Score was evaluated, he had a -7.4 rating.
It had declined a lot from 2003 on.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 29 Jul
Jackson’s scores generally declined after 1993, although there were some years in the early 2000s that his scores improved.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 29 Jul
Respondents are asked to rank celebrities in one of four likability categories:
“One of my favorites”
Very good.
Good
Fair/ poor

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 29 Jul
The judge was interested in how Q Score data is obtained, so Briggs explained it in further detail.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 29 Jul
There were several years of Q Scores missing for Jackson, and no surveys of his likability were taken after 2006.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 29 Jul
Briggs: “Companies are looking for safe bets.”
He uses Q Scores in his work advising clients and pulled data on Jackson from 1990-2006.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 29 Jul
Q Scores weigh the broad likeability of an artist based on a survey. Companies use the data to determine their celebrity spokespeople.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 29 Jul
AEG defense attorney Sabrina Strong asked about Jackson’s prospects for an endorsement deal, which led Briggs into a discussion of Q Scores.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 29 Jul
Briggs spent several minutes telling the jury that Erk’s figures were speculative and weren’t rooted in history.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 29 Jul
Michael Jackson would have earned between $22-$30 million for the “This Is It” shows, if he completed the 50 concerts in London.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 29 Jul
He then showed a slide depicting Jackson’s proceeds from previous tours. HIStory broke even, he said, and Dangerous lost money.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 29 Jul
Briggs: “Clearly this figure is in excess of what we’ve seen in the history of the world.”

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 29 Jul
Plaintiff’s expert Arthur Erk projected as more than $1 billion in revenue for Jackson from ticket sales and merchandise on a world tour.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 29 Jul
For the “This Is It” shows, AEG Live projected gross ticket sales of between $94 and $107 million.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 29 Jul
The Dangerous tour didn’t make the list because it was cut short. Briggs would later show a chart showing it lost money.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 29 Jul
He contrasted that with Jackson’s HIStory tour, which grossed $165 million, and the Bad tour, which grossed $126 million.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 29 Jul
Those are gross figures, and Briggs says it’s not clear how much each artist took home from their tours.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 29 Jul
The Rolling Stones and AC/DC are the #2 and #3 on the list, with Madonna ranking as the top-grossing solo artist at $408 million.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 29 Jul
U2’s 360 tour tops the list with $736 million in ticket sales and merchandise, although Briggs says that’s not how much the band made.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 29 Jul
Although one of Briggs’ charts wasn’t shown to the jury, he did see one showing revenues of the top 4 highest-grossing concert tours ever.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 29 Jul
A few more updates from today’s testimony in the Jackson vs AEG trial and the testimony of damages expert Eric Briggs.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 6m
Briggs however said Erk’s estimates were out of line with Jackson’s history, and the history of other successful tours.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 6m
Erk had estimated Jackson would earn more than $1 billion on touring, merchandise and endorsement deals if he had lived.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 6m
Briggs told the jury two main points for his opinion are Jackson’s history of canceling shows and his prescription drug usage.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 6m
... speculative that Jackson would have performed a 260 show world tour, as plaintiff’s expert Arthur Erk projected.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 7m
Brigg’s opinion is that it’s speculative to assume that Jackson would have completed the 50 “This Is It” shows. He also thinks it’s (cont)

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 7m
The sidebar lasted a little more than 20 minutes and the chart that AEG’s attorneys wanted to show wasn’t displayed this morning.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 8m
Briggs was only on the stand for about 5 minutes before the judge called a sidebar to discuss objections to a chart he prepared.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 8m
Briggs says any projections of damages in the case are purely speculative, based on Michael Jackson’s history. (more on this in a bit)

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 8m
AEG Live defense attorney Sabrina Strong is doing the questioning of Briggs and had him recap some of Friday’s testimony.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 35s
No Jackson family members are in court today. AEG Live’s damages expert Eric Briggs remains on the witness stand.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 45s
It’s a half court day and we’ve already recessed for the day. Testimony will resume tomorrow at 1:30 p.m. PDT.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 3m
I’m back in court in Jackson vs AEG Live. Barring major breaking news, I plan to resume normal updates today.

by **Admin** Tue Jul 30, 2013 6:10 pm

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 3h Panish isn't promising to be done in the morning though, due to the slow pace of the cross-examination so far.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 3h Tomorrow's a full trial day, and Panish said he'd try to finish his cross-examination in the morning.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 3h Not long after this, the judge recessed for the day. The jury will return at 9:45 a.m. PDT for resumption of testimony.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 3h Briggs said he couldn't say who knew more about concert touring, promotion _ him, Phillips or Gongaware.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 3h Briggs has never worked as a concert promoter, and toward the end of his testimony Panish asked him if he knew more than Phillips, Gongaware

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 3h Panish mentioned the coroner's report and testimony and specifically that they found no evidence of problems with Jackson's heart.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 3h "That one risk would be removed," Briggs said about Murray if he was no longer MJ's doctor.
He said other medical risks remained, though.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 3h Panish questioned whether having a "fit and competent" doctor would have lessened the risk to Jackson's life.
Briggs didn't want to say yes.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 3h Briggs said he couldn't offer a medical opinion, but just considered the opinions of other medical experts in the case.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 3h ... given Murray's treatments on MJ.
Briggs didn't want to say Murray was a risk to Jackson's life, or address medical risks.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 3h The question was based on an expert who testified at deposition that he would have been surprised if Michael Jackson lived another week ...

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 3h Panish asked Briggs about doing risk assessments, and whether he considered Conrad Murray a significant risk to Jackson's life.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 3h Briggs also said the general counsel of his company, FTI Consulting, approved him working as an expert in the AEG Live litigation.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 3h Another was Michael Jackson's estate.
Briggs said he discussed working on the AEG case with an estate attorney and was told it was OK.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 3h He said he delivered opinions to 3 or 4 different entities.
One of them was Sony-ATV, the massive music catalog MJ has an interest in.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 3h There had to be another sidebar before Briggs told jury there had been 5 to 10 "engagements" in which he'd worked on Jackson assets.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 3h Briggs said he was still uncomfortable discussing the clients.
The judge told him to answer the questions with a yes or no answer.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 3h When the attorneys came back, Panish continued his questions about Briggs' other clients on Jackson issues.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 3h The judge told Strong again that she should stop objecting, that she'd overruled them.
Strong kept talking, and the judge called a sidebar.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 3h Panish continued asking questions about Briggs' work on Jackson's assets outside of this case, and Strong objected.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 3h Panish kept pressing for answers and Strong kept objecting, to the point that the judge told her, "Ms. Strong, I've made the ruling."

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 3h ... who he had done the work for. He said the work was the subject of confidentiality agreements and he didn't want to violate them.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 3h Panish asked Briggs whether he had done any work valuing Jackson's assets outside of the AEG case.
He had, but he didn't want to answer ...

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 3h There were three sidebars in the afternoon session, one of which was called after Strong repeatedly objected to a line of Panish's questions

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 3h Briggs initially identified 15 depositions he'd reviewed, but as his testimony went on he remembered others he had read through.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 3h Briggs also reviewed the testimony of numerous other experts in the case, as well as Randy Phillips and Paul Gongaware.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 3h Some of it was the Q score data he explained yesterday, and other files were news articles.
He compiled notes, but they were bullet points.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 3h After numerous questions, Panish showed the jury about a stack of documents about an inch high that Briggs had compiled of his work.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 3h Panish spent a lot of time asking Briggs to justify the billings and showed him a binder of items he prepared before his deposition.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 3h Briggs' firm has billed between $600-700k for their work in the case. He doesn't have detailed time records for the work done though.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 3h Plaintiff's attorney Brian Panish started his cross-examination, which was pointed and initially focused on Briggs' billings in the case.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 3h Instead Briggs said that it would be speculative to offer a damages opinion, and reiterated he thought Arthur Erk's numbers were speculative

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 3h She asked Briggs for his bottom-line opinion in the case. He didn't give a number for what he thought were Jackson's potential earnings.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 3h The session started out with AEG Live defense attorney Sabrina Strong finishing her direct questioning. This only took a few minutes.

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 3h Katherine Jackson and her nephew Trent were back in court today to listen to Briggs' testimony

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 3h We're done for the day in Jackson vs. AEG Live. Cross examination of AEG's damages expert Eric Briggs started this afternoon.

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Anthony McCartney (AP) Court tweets

Anthony McCartney (AP) Court tweets

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